No miracle for Lille. Struggling in Ligue 1 (11th), the French champion was unable to sublimate for his reunion with the European Cup, this Tuesday, during the round of 16 first leg of the Champions League.
It must be said that the Mastiffs had inherited a very, very complicated draw with Chelsea, reigning European and world champion. A mountain much too high for the men of Jocelyn Gourvennec, who lost (2-0) in London.
Lille were weighed down by a too timid start to the game, which allowed the Blues to take the lead in the 8th minute thanks to Kai Havertz. The German striker, who had already signaled himself twice before concluding (4th, 7th) took advantage of too lax a marking to deceive Leo Jardim with a header taken from a corner kicked by Ziech.
Harmless Lille
If the Northerners were more enterprising afterwards, Edouard Mendy, the doorman of the Blues, was never really put in danger despite the efforts of Renato Sanches, in particular.
Lille even conceded a second goal after the break, this time signing Christian Pulisic after a huge job from Frenchman Ngolo Kanté (63rd).
With two goals behind after the first round, the task of LOSC, which already promised to be complicated, is now almost impossible. Unless there is an exceptional performance in three weeks at home…
Juventus hung Villarreal
In the other match of the evening, Juventus Turin could not do better than a draw on the lawn of Villarreal. The Italian club had however made an excellent start, with the first achievement in C1 – in its first match – of its winter rookie Dusan Vlahovic.
The Serb found the fault … from the first minute. But Juventus was unable to take shelter at the Ceramics stadium, and the Yellow Submarine took the opportunity to equalize after the hour mark (Parejo 66th).
Everything will therefore be played in three weeks at the Juventus Stadium.