This Northern derby is a very important meeting in the race for Europe. Only 1 point separates the 2 formations. Lille is 7th with 48 points, 3 points behind Nice on 5th. Lens 8th with 47 points. The pressure will inevitably be on the shoulders of the northerners for whom European qualification is a priority objective. In the Lensois ranks, no pressure from the leaders happy to have obtained a new maintenance without pressure and for Europe will only be a bonus.
The declas: Avoiding new incidents
Franck Haise, the Lensois coach, would have preferred to be able to hear the blood and gold songs resounding in the Lille enclosure: “I would have liked the trip to be as the supporters’ clubs proposed, authorized and monitored. Obviously I would prefer that rather than not having Lensoise colors in the stadium, because that is what was requested.” Remember that the Nord prefecture has banned the movement of RCL supporters and the presence of blood and gold fans near the Pierre Mauroy stadium.
Jocelyn Gourvennec, the Lille coach hopes that everyone will be reasonable and respectful in the spans of Pierre Mauroy: “It’s a match of passion but this passion must not take people too far. We must stay within the limits. On the ground we are all responsible, it will go well, behind the scenes it has to go well too.
Players to watch: Berg and Sanches
The Norwegian midfielder could be brought to start this derby. He could take advantage of Doucouré’s suspension to accompany Fofana in midfield. Arrived this winter in Lens, Berg is for the moment a little behind. He took part in 11 L1 matches, starting only once. It was February 6 during a Lensoise defeat at Lorient with the score of 2-0.
Berg who should regularly cross paths with Sanches. The Portuguese who lives his last weeks in Lille, will necessarily be present at the kickoff of the meeting. Regularly lined up in the right lane of the midfield, he could take advantage of a possible absence of Yilmaz, who is ill, to start the match in a role of 2nd striker in support of Jonathan David. It was in this advanced position that he finished the last match against Angers.
The stat: 2 Lensois successes this season
It’s time for the 3rd act this season between the 2 clubs. On September 18, Lens won on the 6th day at home 1-0 on a goal from Frankowski. A few months later, Racing doubled the lead by qualifying for the knockout stages of the Coupe de France after the penalty shootout. Lille’s Onana and Lensois Fofana had both scored twice, but it was the Ivorian who had the last word by converting the last shot on goal from Lensois. We invite you to relive the best moments of these meetings on France Bleu Nord.
The France Bleu Nord line-ups: Yilmaz, sick, is uncertain
Lille: Jardim – Celik Fonte Djalo Gudmundsson – Weah or Zhegrova André Xeka Bamba – Sanches David
Lens: Farinez – Gradit Danso Medina – Clauss Fofana Berg Frankowski – Da Costa Kalimuendo Sotoca
A family at the heart of the derby, that of Pierre and Baptiste
– Pierre Dubrulle