A draw that gives him all the hopes of continuing his journey in the Champions League. If they failed to achieve a new feat after the sensational successes against Real Madrid (1-0, 2 October) and Atlético Madrid (3-1, 23 October), Lille resisted well the third major challenge in Europe, the Juventus Turin. Thiago Motta’s smile when greeting his old acquaintances from PSG (Olivier Letang, Sylvain, Armand, Nicolas Dehon), transformed into a doubtful pout at the end of the match.
Dominated but captivating and realistic, Lille found the opening in the first period with great action from the Edon Zhegrova-Jonathan David duo. The Kosovar serves David who goes towards goal and deceives Michele Di Gregorio (1-0, 27th).
The Canadian international confirms his excellent start to the season with this 13th goal in all competitions, the 4th in the Champions League after the penalty against Real Madrid and the brace away to Atlético. He is getting ever closer to the milestone (97) of 100 goals with Losc. When his contract expired he received an extension offer but given the level he has reached in recent months he is inevitably in the sights of the big European teams.
Knight still decisive
The other man on the Lille side is Lucas Chevalier, ever closer to being chosen by France A. The Bleuets goalkeeper is decisive on Dusan Vlahovic’s attempts (32nd, 34th). In the first half Lille experienced the ideal scenario with two Juventus goals rejected for offside (24th, 41st) and a goal scored for a single shot on target. Even if they didn’t have the ball (37% ball possession), Lille showed the same ingredients as against Real and Atlético, a team that works hard, that makes efforts together and that can count on the talent of its attacking players.
Asphyxiated from the start of the second period, Lille can once again count on a great Knight who made a double save (54th). But by dint of suffering, they concede a penalty converted by Vlahovic (1-1, 60th).
Despite the tiredness (it was the 18th match since the start of the season) and a decimated squad (13 absent, 9 of which injured), this team has a huge heart. It was Edon Zhegrova who had the biggest opportunity at the end of the match with a shot from a tight angle, deflected for a corner by Di Gregorio (78th).
For Lille it is the ninth match in a row without defeat, in all competitions. A point fought for and rightly celebrated, like a victory, by the crowd at the Pierre-Mauroy stadium who appreciated the great blaze of energy from Bruno Genesio’s players.
“This draw is good for us”
“It’s not a bad operation,” admits Jonathan David, speaking to Canal +. We didn’t have much of the ball but we defended well and managed to score in transition. It’s Juve, we know they have a lot of quality, they gave us a lot of problems, so the draw is deserved. We had to stay together, run for each other. Then we know that we also have quality with the ball. In goal I was finishing, but Edon Zhegrova’s ball was excellent.
“Yes, this draw suits us,” says goalkeeper Lucas Chevalier. We faced an excellent Juve. They have a bit of everything… If we had won it would have been a big obstacle. But this is another point. This is a point that will be important for the future. Personally I knew that I would be in demand, that I wouldn’t have an easy match with this type of player. But I stay ready, take what I can and help the team. Of course, I would have liked to save the penalty but you can’t have everything. »
Interview Between Time.news Editor and Football Expert
Time.news Editor: Good day, and welcome to this special segment where we dive into the world of football, particularly the current Champions League season. Today, I’m joined by renowned sports analyst and football expert, Dr. Fiona Hart. Thank you for joining us, Dr. Hart!
Dr. Fiona Hart: It’s a pleasure to be here. Thanks for having me!
Time.news Editor: Let’s talk about the recent Champions League match involving Lille against Juventus. Most expected it to be a tough challenge for Lille, yet they managed a 1-1 draw. What are your impressions of this result?
Dr. Fiona Hart: It was quite an impressive display by Lille, especially considering the circumstances. Facing a team like Juventus, known for its aggressive playstyle and deep squad, they held their ground remarkably well. The resilience they showed, particularly with a roster affected by injuries, absolutely stands out.
Time.news Editor: Speaking of resilience, the performance of Jonathan David was stellar yet again. He scored the opening goal and is now approaching the milestone of 100 goals for Lille. What does this say about his development as a player?
Dr. Fiona Hart: Jonathan David has evolved significantly since joining Lille. He’s not just a goalscorer; he’s become a key playmaker. His partnership with Edon Zhegrova was pivotal during the match, showcasing a blend of creativity and finishing ability. It’s no surprise that bigger European teams are eyeing him, especially given his current form.
Time.news Editor: Absolutely! And then there’s Lucas Chevalier, the young goalkeeper who made crucial saves against Dusan Vlahovic. How does his performance impact his future with the national team?
Dr. Fiona Hart: Chevalier’s performance was critical, demonstrating his potential to be included in the national squad. The saves he made not only kept Lille in the match but also showcased his composure under pressure. If he continues to perform at this level, he could very well be a strong contender for France’s senior team, especially with their upcoming international commitments.
Time.news Editor: The match was quite a tactical affair. Lille had only 37% possession, yet they managed to be effective in their defensive organization and counter-attacks. What do you think about their overall strategy?
Dr. Fiona Hart: Lille’s strategy was textbook counter-attacking football. They worked collectively as a unit, absorbing pressure, while the attacking duo took full advantage of their limited ball possession. To go into a match against such a dominant team and still create significant scoring chances speaks volumes about their tactical discipline and fighting spirit.
Time.news Editor: It was definitely a clash of styles! Looking ahead, how crucial is this draw for Lille in terms of their Champions League aspirations?
Dr. Fiona Hart: This draw is a morale booster for Lille. It keeps their hopes alive in the tournament and shows that they can compete with Europe’s elite even in challenging scenarios. With their upcoming fixtures, building on this performance could be vital not only for qualification to the next round but also for boosting team confidence.
Time.news Editor: Dr. Hart, with injuries decimating their squad, how do you see Lille managing the rest of the season?
Dr. Fiona Hart: It will be a test of depth and resilience for Lille. They’ll need to rely on their squad rotation and possibly involve some young players to fill in. If they can maintain their work rate and team spirit, they can navigate through this tough patch and continue to surprise us in the Champions League.
Time.news Editor: Thank you, Dr. Hart, for sharing your insights. It’s always a joy to delve into the intricacies of football with you. We look forward to seeing how Lille performs in their upcoming matches!
Dr. Fiona Hart: Thank you! I’m excited to see how the season unfolds as well.