In the cold of Wolfsburg and in a Volkswagen Arena almost empty due to the health crisis, the Lille went to win a precious victory (3-1) synonymous with qualification in the knockout stages of the Champions League. A performance that the northern club had achieved only once in its history. First of this group G, Lille is accompanied in the round of 16 by Salzburg, striker of Seville (1-0).
To bring back a qualification from their trip to the industrial city of northern Germany, the Mastiffs had put on their heating black. And they quickly proved more biting than the Wolves of Wolfsburg, as three passes were enough for them, in the 11th minute, to cross the field and open the scoring, thanks to Burak Yilmaz. Greens to concede a goal so early in the meeting, the Germans reacted and pushed to equalize, but the Losc managed to manage this weak time, sometimes with feverishness.
While all of Germany had their eyes riveted on the election of its new chancellor, the Mastiffs, and particularly Jonathan Ikoné, tried to attract attention. The Lille winger stood out on many blocks, the Mastiff’s main offensive weapon, and distinguished himself with two assists, a first for Burak Yilmaz, then a second for Angel Gomes. He could even have afforded a goal with two superb strikes on which Wolves goaltender Koen Casteels had to work. Finally, with a realization of Jonathan David, the third in as many meetings in C1, and that of Angel Gomes (78th), the men of Jocelyn Gourvennec took shelter and the goal, for the honor, of Renato Steffen (89th) has not changed the scenario.
NEW LEVEL UNLOCKED ✅
We did it, all together. It’s historic. For the second time in its history, LOSC will play a round of 16 @ChampionsLeague ⭐
THANKS ❤#WOBLOSC #UCL pic.twitter.com/KtURbvScOA
– LOSC (@losclive) December 8, 2021
Thanks to this precious success, the Mastiffs validate their first place at the top of Group G and qualify for the knockout stages of the Champions League, a first since the 2006-2007 season. At the same time, they beat their record for points obtained in the group stage of the competition (11, against nine 15 years ago). Their opponent in the round of 16 will be known on Monday. Lille will inherit either Atlético de Madrid, Sporting Portugal, Inter Milan, Benfica Lisbon, Chelsea, Villareal or Atalanta Bergamo when this clash is played.