It was a year ago, it was an eternity ago.
In the fall of 2019, LOSC had learned the hard way of European football by being swept away by Ajax Amsterdam on their lawn 3-0 before being slapped at home (0-2).
Thursday, February 18, the Mastiffs find the Ajacids for a new double confrontation in the Europa League this time.
The opportunity for Christophe Galtier's men to prove that he is now looking at the big European teams eye to eye.
This season, the Mastiffs have matured and learned from their last frustrating European experience.
Second in their Europa League group behind AC Milan, whom they humiliated 3-0 at San Siro, they seem more experienced and better equipped to appear well on the continental scene, while achieving a superb course in the league.
Currently first in L1 ahead of Paris SG, the Northerners have managed their calendar rather well and believe they can play on all fronts, they, who are also still in the race in the Coupe de France.
LIVE: follow Christophe Galtier and Sven Botman's press conference before LOSC - AJAX https://t.co/ob7j0OkaxS
- LOSC (@losclive) February 17, 2021
A series of matches that does not scare Christophe Galthier, the coach, who sums up the state of mind of his team as follows: "We must play everything, there is no choice. I assume that victories bring victories and that, when we are in a dynamic like ours, there must not be a match that comes to stop it. "
Ajax continues the bad news
As for Ajax, a series of uncertainties and errors has punctuated the preparation for the round of 16.
First of all, the club, yet an example of professionalism in Europe, simply forgot to register its recruit for the winter transfer window Sébastien Haller.
The Ivorian international, recruited from West Ham for the record sum in the Netherlands of 26 million euros, will therefore have to watch the matches from the stand.
This is all the more problematic, as this winter, the experienced center-forward Klaas-Jan Huntelaar packed his bags for Schalke 04 in the Bundesliga.
In addition, Ajax also lost their goalkeeper André Onana.
The Cameroonian has been imposed by the disciplinary bodies of UEFA a one-year suspension after a positive test last October.
The player, who claims to have mistakenly taken a medication (a diuretic) prescribed to his wife, and the club will appeal this decision to the Court of Arbitration for Sport.
In the absence of the goalkeeper of the Indomitable Lions, it is the Dutch veteran Maarten Stekelenburg (38) who will take place in the goal.
Leader vs. Leader
However, Lille would be wrong to take Ajax Amsterdam lightly because of these extra sporting concerns.
The Amsterdam players are in full swing in 2021. They remain on a series of eight consecutive victories, with 17 goals scored for only 4 conceded.
And Ajax has changed a lot in a year since nuggets like Donny van de Beek and Hakim Ziyech have joined upscale clubs in the Premier League.
Qualified for the semi-finals of the Dutch Cup, the Dutch are also leading their championship with 6 points ahead of PSV Eindhoven (and one game overdue) and seem on the way to a 35th national coronation.
Mister @EuropaLeague ⚡
🔜 #LOSCAJAX #UEL pic.twitter.com/psl2RuXsIG
- LOSC (@losclive) February 17, 2021
Lille does not have to be ashamed, however.
Braked by Brest in the league on Sunday (0-0), LOSC had however won its previous seven matches, including 6 in L1, and is therefore also confident.
The Batavians are wary of their opponent from Lille.
Compared to the 2019 Champions League, "the LOSC has hardly changed. This team has simply become ... better," said Afax coach Ten Hag, judging that now the danger comes from everywhere whereas a year ago, it was more dependent on Victor Osimhen, prolific striker since left in Naples.
And the attack is now based in particular on a duo formed by the Turkish Burak Yilmaz and the Canadian Jonathan David.
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