Led at the break, the Mastiffs returned to the game at Bollaert (1-1) on Saturday. They continue to assert themselves as credible candidates for European places.
This Losc has it under the sole. Led at half-time after a goal against his side by José Fonte (41st), Lille won a draw on the lawn of his rival Lensois (1-1), Saturday March 4. This point, acquired thanks to an equalizer from Jonathan David (69th), certainly slows down the Mastiffs, still sixth in Ligue 1 six points from the podium, but the consistent rendering accredits their candidacy for European places as the final sprint approaches.
Such a conclusion was not, however, a foregone conclusion, at the end of a delicate first act. “We weren’t very strong.recognized striker Jonathan David, author of his 50th goal in Ligue 1, at the microphone of Prime Video. The coach told us that we had to have more courage in the second half, and we had more opportunities.” The demanding principles of the esthete Paulo Fonseca were thus more visible after the break. “We didn’t change the players at the break, but the attitude“, confirmed the assistant coach Jorge Maciel in a press conference.
His players even came close to winning, but came up against an intractable Brice Samba. The Lensois goalkeeper, in a form that makes him a natural contender for the Blues, preserved his team’s draw with several high-flying saves (79th, 80th, 90 + 1st).
Dominating in the game (62% possession in the match), Lille, carried by their will-o’-the-wisp Jonathan Bamba, stirred up Racing as rarely at Bollaert this season. Before them, only Nice (1-0 on February 1) had brought back points from their artesian trip. “I have a feeling of pride in the 2nd half.confirmed the very talkative Maciel. But in the end, we have regrets. We must not react, but rather anticipate from the kick-off.”
Lens marks time
The Mastiffs also benefited from the largesse of Lensois which confirms their delicate pass. Despite a good first act, a Seko Fofana on the upslope and high-paying pressing, they only managed one shot. “We were not consistent enough over the duration of the match”, said midfielder Adrien Thomasson on Prime Video. This inconsistency is echoed in the results of his team, victorious in just one of their last seven Ligue 1 matches and eliminated from the Coupe de France this week.
The lead acquired with an almost perfect start to the season keeps Lens in the game. Better, the Sang et Or are virtually third, pending the trip from Monaco to Troyes on Sunday. But this slowdown could weigh down the ambitions of a club that begins to dream of the Champions League.