It is the hour of truth for Lille. Traveling to Wolfsburg on Wednesday 8 December, Jocelyn Gourvennec’s players still have the opportunity to reach the knockout stages of the Champions League.
Lille, which has not lost in all competitions since its trip to Paris Saint-Germain last October, is on a good dynamic. Conversely, Wolfsburg has lost its last three games including a defeat in the Champions League in Seville (2-0) which made the business of Lille in the standings in group G. But nothing has been done yet for the Mastiffs, who have not reached this stage of the competition since the 2006-07 season. Here are the different possible scenarios to see Losc qualify, or not, for the rest of the Champions League.
If Lille wins: qualification guaranteed and a first place synonymous with first in the series
Leaders before this sixth day with eight points, the Mastiffs are in a favorable situation, with one unit ahead of RB Salzburg, two over Sevilla FC and three over Wolfsburg, their last opponent. With a victory in Germany, Lille would be qualified and guaranteed to finish in first place in Group G. They would then be seeded for the draw for the round of 16, with the guarantee of receiving their opponent in the return match, in the Pierre Mauroy Stadium.
If Lille draws: qualification guaranteed, first place put back into play
Lille would qualify in the event of a draw at Wolfsburg, regardless of the outcome in the other Group G meeting between Salzburg and Sevilla. But the northerner club could then lose first place in the group if the Austrians win against the Spaniards and therefore be exposed to an unfavorable draw in the round of 16. Conversely, if the Andalusians win, the Mastiffs would be level on points with them but would retain the lead of the group thanks to the direct confrontations against the Sevillians (a victory and a draw).
If Lille loses: elimination and direction of the Europa League
In this case, Lille would be tied on points with Wolfsburg but the German club would take the lead thanks to their best results in direct confrontations (a draw and a victory). Lille would therefore be eliminated, and drafted in the Europa League, regardless of the result in the other meeting. The Mastiffs therefore have no room for error if they want to continue the adventure.