Against a Montpellier in search of redemption, the LOSC must resolve its concern for efficiency
After three days of Ligue 1 marked by a draw, a victory and a defeat, the Mastiffs are preparing to face La Paillade. It will be necessary to kill the match directly, at the risk of missing the boat and sinking inexorably into the depths of the Championship.
They won against Nantes (2-0), left points for Nice (1-1) and failed against Lorient (4-1). The Lille residents had high ambitions for the 2023-2024 season and intended to position themselves in the top 5 from the start. This was without counting on these first three days and the certain difficulty in becoming effective. Despite a good possession of the ball and a fluidity of play, the Mastiffs do not easily find the way to the nets. A concern that they must resolve as soon as possible, especially before playing their match against Montpellier.
Significant errors
During these Ligue 1 days, Lille kept the ball and mostly offered themselves more chances than their opponents (witness the 18 shots against 9 insiders against Les Merlus). It didn’t have the desired effect. On the contrary, it only demonstrated the offensive worries that the team carries with it.
Against Nice, ball losses failed to condemn the Mastiffs. Gaëtan Laborde’s goal could have been avoided, and Khéphren Thuram’s progression that followed too. Against Lorient, rebelotte. And against Nantes, the Canaries certainly did not score, but the technical waste did not help the locals.
If we add to the equation a compact and solid defense like those faced recently, we get a major problem. Opening the scoring, or even widening the gap, is difficult. Among the Aiglons, LOSC snatched the draw in the 90 + 4th from a set piece (Diakité). During the second day, it was not until the 66th minute that the fate tilted in favor of Lille. And in Lorient, they could not afford a goal until the 55th. However, if the club from the north of France wants to consolidate and sit higher in the championship, demonstrating more efficiency quickly is important.
This Sunday, the club will again face a consistent defense. The challenge will therefore be to find a way to break the lines in the axis, but also to successfully finish the actions initiated. All while trying to work on its verticality as well.
Good projection and character
Not everything is to be thrown away in Lille’s performances, quite the contrary. The club has the background and enough to compete with the teams it meets. For that, they have to keep their character and philosophy of play. The projections of the side Ismaïly and Tiago Santos are important to develop offensive actions and create chances. Edon Zhegrova’s speed is also essential to move the opposing blocks. But, the problems arise in the last 30 meters.
Overall, the proposals are there. The multiple crosses and shots are well brought. However, it lacks beautiful concretizations, and solutions to be found in the face of low blocks. The statistics are in favor of Lille. So you might as well exploit your strengths to make better progress afterwards. However, Jonathan David seems a bit lonely and Paulo Fonseca did not fail to scold his president Olivier Letang at a press conference about the lack of fuel to face the next three months of competition.
The statistics of the match against Lorient.
Opta by StatsPerform
Lille is also lucky to be able to count on its goalkeeper. Lucas Chevalier offered two good matches and was decisive on the second day. With such substantial support in front of his cage, LOSC can work a little more on his finish, without constantly fearing a lightning counter-attack.
Things are therefore far from set in stone and the season is still full of promise for Lille. A second victory in Ligue 1 will definitely launch him in his quest for the heights.
2023-09-03 06:05:25
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