Lille Makes History with First European Quarter-Final Victory – Europa Conference League

It may not be the cut for big ears, but Lille wrote a new page in its European history this Thursday. By eliminating Sturm Graz (1-1, 3-0 in the first leg), in the round of 16 of the Europa Conference League, the Mastiffs reached the first European quarter-final in their history.

And unlike OM two hours earlier in C3, Lille did not really tremble to qualify. Vito Mannone just had to make a big save in the 2nd minute in front of Tomi Horvat to avoid any doubt. The Italian goalkeeper was established in a largely reshuffled team, while LOSC travels to the runner-up of PSG (Brest) on Sunday noon and the work had largely been done in the first leg (3-0). Lucas Chevalier, therefore, but also Leny Yoro, Benjamin André, Angel Gomes and Jonathan David were notably on the bench at kick-off.

Fonseca turned

Northern executives were able to see that their partners were getting by without them. Edon Zhegrova tested the gloves of Vitezslav Jaros (24th), Yusuf Yazici was denied a goal for offside (32nd), before a visibly grumpy Tiago Santos found the opening from the left (42nd). The only false note of the first period, the goal conceded just before half-time (by Mika Biereth, 45th + 1).

Paulo Fonseca continued to manage his squad after the break, as he brought in David, André and Angel to give Nabil Bentaleb, Zhegrova and Hakon Haraldsson a break for the trip to Brittany. The Canadian quickly had an opportunity but missed the target (49th), before coming up against Jaros (70th). Almost nothing happened afterwards, the Lille residents finishing a meeting on a train of senators which allowed them to see Europe in the spring. The level will now surely rise, with Aston Villa, Fenerbahçe and even Fiorentina among the potential opponents.

2024-03-14 22:08:32
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