Ligue 1: Mbappé and Lille hooked by Brest, the great operation from Lens to Troyes

Hooked by Brest (1-1), Losc failed to regain the lead in Ligue 1 alone this Saturday. In the other multiplex meeting, Lens won on the Troyes pitch (3-1). A valuable success for the Sang et Or who moved up to 7th place.

Lille, who, in the event of success, had the possibility of temporarily taking the lead in the championship, remain second with 14 points, tied with Monaco who play on Sunday and PSG who are now ahead of them in the number of goals scored.

Skip the ad

It is a lesser evil at the end of a match that Brest, 8th at kick-off, started perfectly, very quickly opening the score from a set piece, before cowering in defense without being endangered by Lille, orphans of their Japanese striker Ayase Ueda, injured, and rarely dangerous in the running game despite control of the ball.

From the 6th minute of play, on a corner hit to the left by Joris Chotard, Gautier Lloris' recovery ended on the back of Mama Baldé and deceived Orlando Gill, the Paraguayan goalkeeper of Losc, unfortunate hero of the round of 16 lost 1-0 during the American World Cup against France, started for the first time with the Mastiffs in the absence of the Turk Berke Özer.

Mbappé man of the match

On the Lille side, only Ethan Mbappé, returning from an injury contracted with the France Espoirs team during the international break and named best player of the match, brought a little danger to the Brest defense.

It was on one of his forays into the Breton area, in a duel with Bradley Locko that the northern winger, by causing an unclear penalty, allowed veteran Olivier Giroud, 40, to tie the two teams (1-1, 64th). The entries of Sorba Diaoune and Nabil Bentaleb gave additional energy to the Mastiffs, who, following their equalizer, were denied a goal from Hakon Haraldsson for offside (68th) and almost doubled the lead on a free kick from Bentaleb (71st).

A result which will not chase away the criticism which falls on the unappealing game proposed by Davide Ancelotti's players since the start of the season despite second place in the standings. Especially since the Mastiffs are continuing a hellish schedule this week: beaten on Tuesday by Arsenal 2-0 in the Champions League, they host the Turks from Galatasaray next Wednesday to bounce back, then they will travel to Monaco on Sunday.

Skip the ad

Brest, who, on the other hand, had two opportunities to win at the end of the match, remains clinging to 8th place with 9 points.

More information to follow…