The European adventure ends there for Losc. Defeated by Chelsea (1-2), Wednesday March 16, during the second leg of the knockout stages of the Champions League, the Mastiffs failed to reverse a situation that got off to a bad start after the defeat of the first leg (0- 2). But Lille rose to the occasion and delivered a good match. They will have fished on two of the rare London offensives and on small individual failures.
Leo Jardim: 4.5/10
He got scared on a bad full axis recovery and it was perhaps the biggest thrill of his evening (54th) with this stoppage at the end of the match in front of Marcos Alonso (90 + 2nd). For the rest, Thomas Tuchel’s players produced nothing, and on the two goals from Christian Pulisic (45 + 3rd) and César Azpilicueta (71st), Léo Jardim could only see the damage. During the equalizer, the Brazilian goalkeeper could probably have closed his angle better, or in any case been more imposing.
Zeki Celik: 4.5/10
He will not have brought anything offensively and when he did, he got injured. His first push into Chelsea’s 30 yards came in the 51st minute, with a great cross for Jonathan David. In the aftermath, Celik had to give way to Timothy Weah (58th), who could not bring much offensively and who is at fault for Chelsea’s second goal, being behind Azpilicueta.
Jose Fonte: 5.5/10
The Lille captain has nothing to be ashamed of tonight. At 38, the one who became the oldest player to play a Champions League match with a French club played a good match. Not intimidated by the impact of the Blues, the Portuguese played the duels intelligently, often anticipating brilliantly. Warned at the very end of the match for a foul on Romelu Lukaku (90 + 4th).
Sven Botman: 6/10
What a pity that he comes out injured! For an hour, Sven Botman completely muzzled Kai Havertz, yet very good lately and scorer in the first leg. The Dutch defender returned to his best level but had to give way to Amadou Onana (58th) after being hurt on yet another intervention in front of the German striker. On the sporting side, Botman will have only one regret: these few centimeters which would have allowed him to counter the strike which allowed the equalization of Pulisic.
Tiago Djalo: 5.5/10
He started the match on the left, in an unusual position, to finish it on the right, in another unusual position. This is what Tiago Djalo’s life looks like in Lille at the moment, after Reinildo’s departure in the winter transfer window. However, the Portuguese did not sink like in the first leg. He even allowed himself a small solitary raid in the camp of the Blues (30th) and a new breakthrough at the end of the match (85th). But he lost his aerial duel with Marcos Alonso at the start of the action leading to the goal of Azpilicueta (71st).
Benjamin Andre: 4/10
A small careless mistake that unfortunately makes a huge difference. As Lille were preparing to return to the locker room with a goal in advance, Benjamin André decided to go up on Jorginho while Christian Pulisic left behind his back. The American then took the opportunity to equalize just before half-time (45th + 3) on the only opportunity for the Blues in the first period. Cruel for the Mastiffs and for André, who fought, as usual, for the rest of the game.
Xeka: 5.5/10
His head on the post could have changed the course of the meeting (63rd) and offered a crazy end to the match to play for Lille. Despite everything, Xeka had a good match, unlike their first leg encounter at Stamford Bridge. Very active in the middle, the Portuguese undoubtedly played a role in the good start to the match of the Mastiffs. It was he who went for the penalty in the first period by provoking the hand of Jorginho (36th).
Jonathan Bamba: 4/10
His start to the second half made up for a disappointing first act. He gave new impetus to the Lille side after returning from the locker room. He hurt Marcos Alonso very badly before finding the head of Burak Yilmaz on a cross (51st). But he also made mistakes, notably lacking precision on corners, a weapon not to be overlooked. Replaced by Angel Gomes at the end of the match (77th).
Gabriel Gudmundson: 3.5/10
At this level of competition, he does not seem to be in his place. Holder in the absence of Renato Sanches, injured, Gabriel Gudmundsson showed little or nothing. A supersonic acceleration against Azpilicueta which will have led to nothing, a yellow card for having retained Kai Havertz after procrastinating with the ball at the foot (42nd), and … not much else to highlight. The Swede finished on the left side before being replaced by Domagoj Bradaric (77th), who was playing his first C1 match of the season.
Burak Yilmaz: 5.5/10
For almost half an hour, between his goal from the penalty spot (38th) and his cross for Xeka (63rd), we found the Burak Yilmaz of last season. Precise, sharp and decisive. His penalty is perfectly taken and he risks thinking long and hard about this header passed just next to the goals of Edouard Mendy (51st). But he started the game badly, too imprecise on a free kick (11th) and on an interesting counter-attack (21st). His end of the match was also complicated.
36 – At 36 years and 244 days, Burak Yilmaz became the 3rd oldest player to score in the Champions League knockout stage after Ryan Giggs (37 years and 148 days) and Paolo Maldini (36 years and 333 days) . Hope. #LOSCCHE pic.twitter.com/VsbFQlCjwx
— OptaJean (@OptaJean) March 16, 2022
Jonathan David: 4/10
He caused the free kick alone which leads to the Lille penalty (34th). But beyond this action, a header that passes away from the goals of Mendy (51st) and an activity to pick up the low balls, Jonathan David was below, as in the first leg. The Canadian has reason to be frustrated, he who is so often there to make the difference on the Dogues side. Replaced by Hatem Ben Arfa (77th).
Jocelyn Gourvennec: 4.5/10
He had decided not to change the system despite the absence of Renato Sanches. Jocelyn Gourvennec had the merit of transmitting to his players the desire to set the pace at the start of the match and to believe in qualification until the end. He had to deal with the injuries, on the hour mark, of Botman and Celik. But on arrival, it is the strongest team that qualifies.