How the Losc got this incredible league title

Lille won the fourth league title in its history in Angers on Sunday evening, undoubtedly the most improbable

They did it !

By winning Sunday night in Angers (1-2), Lille won their fourth French league title at the end of a thrilling season from start to finish.

The Northerners have achieved the feat of finishing in front of the PSG of Neymar and Mbappé.

An exceptional performance that hardly anyone expected at the start of the season.

We take a look back at the key moments of a year unlike any other.

August 1, 2020: The day Burak Yilmaz landed in Lille

Fourth in a season cut by ten games because of the Covid, Losc only lost two important players in the offseason. Defender Gabriel left for Naples and especially Victor Osimhen, Nigerian striker, joined Naples for the record sum of € 81 million. To replace them, the northern club defends on a 21-year-old Dutch stranger, Sven Botman. And breaks his piggy bank (30 M €) to attract the Canadian Jonathan David disembarked from Ghent.

The attacker must support the experienced Loïc Rémy who is preparing to extend his contract.

Except that nothing goes as planned.

A bonus of 100,000 euros, promised to the player's agent, is refused by Marc Ingla, the club's general manager.

Angry, Rémy refuses to extend and leaves the club.

A twist of fate that forces Luis Campos to turn around quickly.

The recruiter from Lille left for Turkey and managed to convince Burak Yilmaz to leave Besiktas for Losc.

A bet for a 35-year-old player who will turn into a stroke of genius.

October 18, 2020: The day Lille became a leader for the first time

Unbeaten after 7 games, the northern club welcomes its neighbor Lensois for the first derby of the North for 7 years.

Result, the match is folded quickly thanks to an offensive festival (4-0) and two expulsions.

A large success which allows Galtier's men to become Ligue 1 leader for the first time this season.

November 8, 2020: The day Lille lost their first game of the season

Three days after a resounding feat on the lawn of San Siro where Losc won (0-3) against AC Milan in the Europa League, the Northerners fall from high in Brest.

Led 3-0 after 42 minutes, Lille reduced the gap thanks to a double from Yilmaz but lost (3-2) for the first time.

Their only loss outside of the season.

December 16, 2020: The day Lille changed president

It's an explosion that nobody expected.

While Lille is in Dijon to challenge the Burgundians, we learn that Gérard Lopez, president since January 2017, will leave the club.

Unable to repay his loan to the Eliott investment fund, the businessman packed his bags in which he took Luis Campos and Marc Ingla, the two other strong men of the club.

Melvyn Partners, a Luxembourg investment fund, takes over the club and places Olivier Létang, who has already passed through Reims, Paris and Rennes, at its head.

Little disturbed by this immense internal change, the players of Losc do the job in Burgundy the same evening when they win 2-0 and keep the head of the championship.

January 6, 2021: The day Lille missed its return from vacation

After finishing the year 2020 by winning in a nice way in Montpellier (2-3), the Lille players benefit from two additional days of vacation offered by Christophe Galtier.

A holiday short that will pay off as soon as you resume.

Borrowed against Angers, the Mastiffs fell (1-2) and recorded their first defeat of the season at home.

April 3, 2021: The day Lille went to beat PSG at the Parc

Beaten to everyone's surprise at home by Nîmes (1-2) just before the international break, Lille dropped his chair at the worst possible time.

Galtier's men play very big on the lawn of the Park during the 31st day.

Tied on points before the match with the club from the capital, the Northerners can let PSG slip away to the title in the event of a defeat at the Parc.

But the reverse is true.

Thanks to a goal from David who had yet been injured, Lille won in Paris, took first place and relegated the Parisians three points behind.

A turning point because PSG will never pass Losc again.

April 25, 2021: The day Lille made its mark in Lyon

This is the big turning point of the Lille season, the match that Losc will talk about again in ten years.

Before going to Lyon, the Losc can see the Rhone come back to its height and lose its place of leader in the event of defeat.

The dark scenario looms when OL quickly take a two-goal lead just before the break.

That's when Yilmaz dons his savior costume.

In the 45th minute, the Turk puts on a masterful look on a free kick which relaunches the Losc just before returning to the locker room.

In the second period, Burak knocked out Lyon by offering an assist to David to equalize and especially by crucifying the gang at Garcia at the very end of the match on a subtle dive.

A stunning match (2-3) where Lille almost lost everything before changing everything and striking a blow in the quest for the title.

May 23, 2021: The day Lille won the title

For the first time in nine years, the title of champion of France is played on the last day.

With a point ahead of PSG before moving to Angers, Lille has no room for error.

To win the fourth title in its history, Losc must win in Anjou.

Mission fulfilled very quickly.

Thanks to a quick goal from David (10th) and a penalty from Yilmaz (45th), the Northerners fold the case in half and avoid being scared.

The party can begin.

Ten years after its last title, Losc is back at the top of Ligue 1 to everyone's surprise.

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