• Leader of Group G one day from the end, Losc only need a draw in Wolfsburg on December 8 to secure their place in the knockout stages of the Champions League.

  • An outcome that seemed however still improbable only three weeks ago.

The scenario still seemed unlikely just three weeks ago. Mocked, criticized and mocked for his performances in the Champions League for ten years, Losc has turned everything upside down in twenty days. By signing two victories in a row (in Seville on November 2 and Tuesday night against Salzburg) for the first time in its history in the Champions League, the Losc, new leader of group G, has never been so close to qualifying in the round of 16, a first for the northern club for fifteen years.

“We do honor to the competition, we do honor to Ligue 1 and that's not nothing.

But there is nothing done and it will take another big fight in Wolfsburg, ”recalls Jocelyn Gourvennec, the Lille coach.

On December 8 in Germany, a victory or a draw will be enough for the Mastiffs to integrate the big world.

And even a defeat in Germany combined with a draw in the other game between Salzburg and Sevilla could allow them to continue an adventure in the Champions League so far successful thanks to several factors.

An iron defense

Three goals conceded in five games and above all no goals conceded in three home games.

If Lille is on the way to qualify for the round of 16, it owes it above all to its iron defense: "Three home games without scoring a goal in the Champions League, it's a real performance," greets Gourvennec.

If the Losc is pitching behind in Ligue 1 this season, it has kept in Europe the defensive strength that allowed it to be champion of France last year.

Despite the absence of Botman, injured for six weeks, Djalo has succeeded perfectly in the interim in the axis alongside a José Fonte who is not turning 36 in the biggest European competition.

Captable opponents

At the time of the draw at the end of August, we said to ourselves that Losc had something to do with it. With Sevilla, Wolsburg and Salzburg, the northern club fell into a homogeneous group. But his failed start with two draws at home against the Germans and the Spaniards added to a defeat in Austria had clearly raised fears of yet another European disillusion.

Except that in this ultra tight group where everyone can still qualify for the knockout stages of the Champions League, Losc was able to win the match it needed.

By winning an unexpected victory (1-2) on November 2 on the lawn of Sevilla FC, third in Liga, the Northerners reversed a negative trend.

And the confirmation against a weak Salzburg Tuesday night confirmed the idea that Lille was able to seize its chance in this not very sexy but affordable group to dream bigger.

The pride of the champion

Champion of France to everyone's surprise last May, the Losc quickly fell back to earth this season. Currently twelfth in Ligue 1, the northern club has failed to ride on its success from last year. But the Lille workforce, which has hardly moved this summer, is taking a dazzling revenge in the Champions League where Losc had not been at such a party for fifteen years. Something to rejoice in Jocelyn Gourvennec

“I often tell players that we have to mark their time at the club. They marked him last year with the title of champion and it will remain forever. We also created something historic by winning the Champions Trophy at the start of the season (in early August against PSG). Winning the first Champions League match at the Pierre Mauroy stadium also has value. All these little things are important for the players, for the staff. We are here for that. We are also here to share. I asked the players before the match to make a maximum of efforts to have a maximum of strong emotions. This is what we got ”.

Whatever happens, the Losc will finish the worst third in its group, synonymous with the round of 16 of the Europa League.

Lille will still be in the European Cup next February, which was far from certain at the start of the season.

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Losc-Salzburg: Lille wins and takes a big option for the knockout stages. Relive the match live with us

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Losc-Salzburg: Why do Lille supporters shun the Champions League?

  • 20 minutes video

  • Lille

  • Champions League

  • Soccer

  • LOSC

  • Sport

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