The Lille terrace hosts the invincible Real Madrid – Libération

2024-10-03 07:24:23

League of Championsfile

Diligent, solid, the Mastiffs overthrew one of the favorites of the top competition this Wednesday 3 October (1-0) at the Stade Pierre-Mauroy, during the second day of the Champions League. The Madrid team had not suffered defeat in 36 matches.

“In twenty years, when I finish my career, I will be able to say that I beat Real at home.” Lille goalkeeper Lucas Chevalier could smile well on Wednesday evening on the Pierre-Mauroy pitch. His teammates managed to beat Real Madrid, unbeaten in the previous 36 matches, and above all in their favorite competition, won fifteen times. Knight, always happy: “It’s not a robbery tonight. All were huge. I think it is perhaps the best victory in the history of the club. Everyone must measure the luck of what they are experiencing.”

In Villeneuve-d’Ascq, the fifteen trophies of the most prestigious European club competition, including last season’s, which adorn Real’s immense palmares, did not in fact weigh so much against Losc, focused on writing one of the greatest lines of its history. Neither Vinicius nor Jude Bellingham, to name a few, managed to overturn the result of a match decided just before half-time, with a penalty from Jonathan David (45th + 3). Not even Kylian Mbappé’s entry into the game in the 58th minute. After recovering quickly from left thigh discomfort to set foot on a French lawn in a White House shirt for the first time since his departure from PSG, the France captain was booed by much of the Lille crowd.

At the kick-off, Carlo Ancelotti preferred Endrick, who, at 18 years and 73 days, became the youngest player to wear the Real Madrid shirt in this competition, according to statistician Opta. But even coach Ancelotti, one of the greatest master strategists in world football, seemed short of solutions. He will not escape criticism for the stalemate of offensive stars unable to combine properly in attack.

The plans of «Pep» Genesio

Up front, Bruno Genesio succeeded in his bet by fielding five professional defenders for a composition that appears prudent, but in reality daring. Lille moved as a team, forming a generally compact block to reduce space. In addition to the plan, some players raised their level to the height of the event, such as central defender Alexsandro, winger Edon Zhegrova, captain Benjamin André. In midfield, young Ayyoub Bouaddi celebrated his 17th birthday with a performance full of maturity, despite some dross.

The northern club built on the victory at the end of the first period, when they got a penalty thanks to a handball by Eduardo Camavinga following a free kick by Zhegrova. Goalscorer Jonathan David converted it with composure and precision to put his teammates on the path to a big moment.

The prospect of seeing the Merengue club turn the game around, as it has done in recent years by writing the history of European football, was strengthened in the second half. But Lucas Chevalier was there to reassure the whole of the North: after a miracle from Tiago Santos, who saved a ball on his line (86th), the goalkeeper made several great saves (87th, 90th) until liberation. After losing in Lisbon against Sporting (2-0) on the first matchday, Losc launches itself onto the European scene. In style, at the end of a memorable evening.