Champions League: 15 years later, Lille qualifies for the knockout stages
Received 2 out of 2. French football will have two representatives in the round of 16 of the Champions League. It’s rare enough to savor the moment. Even if Lyon and PSG had found themselves in the last four during the Lisbon Final 8 in the summer of 2020 … After PSG, Lille passed the obstacle of the group stage by reporting a victory for Wolfsburg ( 3-1). To qualify, the French champions were able to settle for a draw. They did better than that by winning with brilliance and impressive mastery and above all by securing first place in group G. Double blow for the Mastiffs who can suddenly hope for an opponent a little more affordable in 8th. In any case, they will benefit from a return match in 8th at the Pierre-Mauroy stadium.
This qualification is obviously a very nice blow for the Northerners who did not start very confident in this campaign. In its history, moreover, the Champions League has not often smiled on the Ch’tis. In six attempts, Losc had crossed this group stage only once: it was in 2006-2007, 15 years already, by facing AC Milan in the group before falling against Manchester United. Claude Puel was on the bench.
Without its supporters forced to stay at home due to hardened health restrictions in Germany, Lille immediately tries not to be afraid. What better way to achieve this than to score very quickly? Lille hit hard with a goal from Burak Yılmaz in the 11th minute. A nice counter led drum beating opens the door of the 8th finals. The mission of Jocelyn Gourvennec’s players from there becomes as easy as pie: Hold! The people of Lille put all their strength on the lawn so as not to crack.
The Germans start off, the serious and diligent Losc succeeds and does not tremble too often. Even better: it meets in the shelter in a few minutes of courtesy. First in the 72nd minute with Jonathan David’s second goal. And as if that was not enough, Lille scored a third with Angel Gomes six minutes later. And too bad Wolfsburg saves what remains to him of honor in the mark by the Swiss Steffen (89th). Mass is said and well said. “It was not easy anyway especially in the first half, rejoices Jonathan David at the microphone of Canal +. We measure what we have done by entering the history of the club. We try to go up step by step. Our season is off to a good start and we are very happy. “
Lille ends the year of its title of champion of France with a ticket for the Top 16 of European football. What better ? There will not be a PSG-Lille shock in the round of 16, the two clubs from the same country are unlikely to clash. But later, why not? With this Lille, the brilliant one of this Wednesday in Germanic soil, anything is possible.