TOPS/FLOPS – Losc signed another big blow by winning Wednesday evening in Spain against Atlético Madrid (1-3), during the third day of the Champions League.
TOPS
Bruno Genesio changed everything
There was a before and after in this match between Atlético and Lille. A first period where the Dogues were manhandled and turned their backs so as not to return to the locker room with two goals behind and a second act where the northern coach Bruno Genesio, who had rotated his squad before the start of the match, realigned its starters on the pitch. Changes that changed the destiny of this match. Bafodé Diakité, who came on in the 46th minute of play, in place of the young Ousmane Touré (19 years old) who was playing his first Champions League match and at fault for the Rojiblancos’ opening score, and the striker Jonathan David who replaced Mohamed Bayo (65′) transformed the face of this Lille team. The first enormously consolidated the Dogues rearguard by assuming his leadership role while the Canadian striker coolly scored the 1-2 penalty for Losc (74′) before sealing the northern victory in the last seconds (89′). A change in appearance which is the fruit of the choices of Genesio, who, after having won in the past against Pep Guardiola, José Mourinho and Carlo Ancelotti three weeks ago, won against Diego Simeone. The former coach of Olympique Lyonnais is only the second technician to succeed in bringing down these four renowned coaches, after Jurgen Klopp. This means…
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Edon Zhegrova lit up the meeting
The Kosovar striker from Losc once again showed the extent of his talent this evening. The Lille player equalized with a sumptuous curling shot (61′), symptomatic of his extraordinary ability to destabilize defenses single-handedly. The man who has made the difference for Lille since last season and who, today, positions himself as a (very) high class player.
The passion of Matias Fernandez-Pardo
Very few knew him but the young 19-year-old striker responded (more than) present. Despite his inexperience at this level, the Belgian player from Losc clearly did not give up and showed all his character. Percussion, play in transition, accuracy in transmissions… the Lille player got it right. And during these European games, for his age, it’s strong.
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Madrivorous Mastiffs
After bringing down Real Madrid, the reigning European champion, three weeks ago at home, Lille is back at it again and obtained the scalp of the other Madrid giant. A new prestigious performance which proves the quality and unity of this northern group, which has six points in three Champions League matches this season. The Mastiffs can calmly watch the rest of this competition and continue to dream of a plausible qualification for the C1 play-offs, like Stade Brestois.
FLOPS
Ousmane Touré (nearly) ruined everything
The young northern defender, who had only played a quarter of an hour since the start of the season, played his first Champions League match on Wednesday evening. The 19-year-old was at fault for Rojiblancos’ opener (8′), following a serious loss of ball in his area. The Mastiff was extremely tense, tense and on edge throughout the first period. The Lille player gave way to Diakité at the break. It had to be. Fortunately for him, his team finally won and what could have been a trauma and an eternal nightmare for him will only be a bad memory.
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Griezmann and the Colchoneros have passed away
Authors of a very inspired first period, the Madrilenians were overthrown by the reinvigorated Mastiffs in the second act. The symptomatic performance of Antoine Griezmann, very present during the first 45 minutes and who disappeared from traffic in the second period, perfectly sums up the scenario of this crazy meeting. The Rojiblancos’ Norwegian striker Alexander Sorloth also harvested far too much, missing countless chances.
