LOSC-Lorient (3-1): A job well done
BY MAXIME POUSSET
A job well done! LOSC was expected. He was not disappointed. Even better, it actually rained. Thanks to three goals scored at regular intervals (10′, 20′, 30′), Les Dogues quickly got the better of Lorient. In the standings, the LOSC – which sign their 9th consecutive match without defeat in the league – performs the good operation of the evening in this late match of the 20th day and returns to 5 points from the podium.
Their last outing at home? It was almost a month ago, when they had dominated Auxerre (3-1) in the Coupe de France. Since December 18, 2021, LOSC has not set foot on the lawn – completely redone – at the Stade Pierre Mauroy. Blame it on the winter break, first. Then to the report of a LOSC-Lorient which should have opened 2022 in Ligue 1. A game postponed to this Wednesday January 19, therefore and that the Mastiffs intervene with the ambition of making a link in the classification. A meeting that they dispute, however, with a Jocelyn Gourvennec at a distance, following his positive test for Covid-19. It is his assistant, Jorge Maciel, who will coach Lille from the sidelines. As for the latest recruits, Edon Zhegrova and Hatem Ben Arfa, they are not qualified for this match.
The start of the match is rather balanced. Neither team takes the lead over the other, until this nice one-two David-Bamba on the left side. The center shot of the second is boxed by Nardi. The ball ricochets off a defender and lands in the feet of a Isaac Lihadji opportunist, who scores in an empty goal (1-0, 10 ‘). From one billiard shot to another, Burak Yilmaz’s eccentric free kick is countered by the Breton wall. Amadou Onana throws himself into a duel with the Lorient goalkeeper. The ball rebounds this time on the unfortunate Jenz who scores against his side (2-0, 20 ‘). the Pause is done and the LOSC does not stop in such a good way. On a new free kick on the left side, shot by Renato Sanches this time, Reinildo outstrips Nardi and makes it 3-0 with a header (30′). The LOSC flies away.
Lorient’s reaction to the return is intended to be timid. Moffi’s powerful shot is captured by a concentrated Ivo Grbić (48′), while Jo David responds with a shot off target at the edge of the area on a nice move initiated by Isaac Lihadji (52′). This second act is much less rich in opportunities than its predecessor. Lille, who returned to competition in three days in Brest, managed their advantage, while Jocelyn Gourvennec – via his assistants Kevin Plantet and Jorge Maciel – quickly rotated the troops. Timothy Weah (whom we are happy to see compete), Xeka (67′), then Cheikh Niasse, Gabriel Gudmundsson (76′) and Angel Gomes (82′) appear in a Lille team which will however see FCL reduce the score at the very end of the game (90’+3, 3-1).
With this great success, LOSC continues its rise in the standings. Now named in 9th position, the Lille residents have awarded themselves 5 points from the podium. Encouraging.
11th minute. Established for the first time this season, Isaac Lihadji (19) had the opportunity to prove his ability to be decisive. The former Marseille player did not miss it. Well placed when Jo Bamba crossed from the left wing, he was able to position himself ideally while benefiting from a favorable counter to open the scoring and register the very first goal of his career in Ligue 1. One but oh so important since it is placed the Mastiffs on the way to victory.
Reinildo. Sharp in his defensive interventions, hard-hitting in his offensive contribution, Reinildo confirms his good current form. Mozambique’s TGV even experienced the happiness of a very first but in Ligue 1, at the heart of its fourth season with the Mastiffs. The left side – who is not the biggest – got out of the scrum to place a nice whim, bring the score to 3-0 and put his team to safety in a game that is decidedly well underway.
It is with great enthusiasm and impatience that the Lille public got to know Edon Zhegrova and Hatem Ben Arfa, the two recruits (offensive) of the winter transfer window of LOSC. The two left-handers are not yet qualified for Ligue 1 but were present at the Stade Pierre Mauroy for LOSC-Lorient.
Welcome home ❤
Our two new recruits, Edon Zhegrova and Hatem Ben Arfa, were introduced to the @StadePM pic.twitter.com/v86SQCWrQX
— LOSC (@losclive) January 19, 2022
The return of the Dogues to the Stade Pierre Mauroy after a month of absence, a clear and brilliant success on the pitch, the public presentation of two talented recruits… This LOSC-Lorient should have established itself as a big party for all LOSC lovers. The party took place, of course, but without a large part of the Lille public, unfortunately deprived of a stadium due to the epidemic rebound and the gauge of 5,000 spectators imposed. This victory is dedicated to them.
What to be so little tonight…
❤ We are thinking of you, supporters, subscribers, who are deprived of @StadePM.#LOSCFCL 0-0 | ⏱ 6′
— LOSC (@losclive) January 19, 2022
We chain! From Saturday (5 p.m.), the Mastiffs will be in Brest for a new meeting in Ligue 1 Uber Eats. Then Lille will host Paris Saint-Germain for a game on Sunday February 6 (8:45 p.m.) at the Stade Pierre Mauroy.
20th day of Ligue 1 Uber Eats – Season 2021-2022
Wednesday 19 January 2022, 7 p.m. – Stade Pierre Mauroy (roof open) – 4,834 spectators (limited capacity)
Referee: Mr. Batta
Corn : Lihadji (10′), Jenz csc (20′), Reinildo (30′) for LOSC; Soumano (90’+3) for Lorient
LOSC: Grbić – Çelik, Fonte (m.), Botman, Reinildo – Lihadji (Weah, 67′), Sanches (Xeka, 67′), Onana (Niasse, 76′), Bamba (Gudmundsson, 76′) – David, Yilmaz ( A.Gomes, 82′)
Trainer: Jorge Maciel (Jocelyn Gourvennec absent)
Lorient: Nardi – Mendes, Jenz, Pétrot, Le Goff – Mouazan (Igor Silva, 64′), Abergel (m.), Monconduit (Lemoine, 74′), Le Fée (Boisgard, 64′) – Moffi (Soumano, 74′) , Laurente (Bourles, 86′)
Coach : Christophe Pelissier