Champions League: Los Blancos, Les Dogues Square Off in Lille

LOSC Lille vs Real Madrid

The 15-time Champions League winners will head on over to France as they face LOSC Lille at Stade Pierre-Mauroy on Thursday.

Still unbeaten in all competitions, Real Madrid are fresh off a gut-wrenching draw at the hands of city rivals Atletico Madrid after Angel Correa’s last-gasp equaliser at the Estadio Metropolitano.

As usual in the Madrid Derby, the match was filled with tension and chaos as the referee suspended the match in the second half after Atletico Madrid fans were seen throwing objects on the pitch.

It was a stoppage that lasted for about 20 minutes, with some Atletico players, along with Diego Simeone, pleading with the fans to stop disrupting the match.

Meanwhile, Lille are hoping to build on from their recent win against Le Havre—their first win since beating Angers back in August 25.

A victory that halted a five-game winless run, Les Dogues lost four straight matches to PSG, Saint-Etienne and Slavia Prague, and were involved in a thrilling 3-3 draw against Strasbourg.

 

Talking Points

Jonathan David, the hat-trick hero

Lille needed a strong result last time out after failing to build from winning their first two Ligue 1 matches.

Luckily for them, they employ Canada’s Jonathan David—one of the league’s best goalscorers in recent years. With Bruno Genesio’s side needing his services the most, David was able to answer the call, scoring a hat-trick to put Lille back in the win column.

David’s first goal was scored in the 23^rd minute with the help of Angel Gomes and Osame Sahraoui. The brace came 12 minutes later, with Les Dogues playing some brilliant attacking football that ended with David finishing easily past Le Havre keeper Arthur Desmas.

The hat-trick was completed in the 79^th minute after David headed in Edon Zhegrova’s pinpoint cross.

Lille had the chance to go for four as Le Havre conceded a penalty in added time, with Desmas catching Angel Gomes’ legs in an attempt to go after the ball.

Gomes, however, had his spot kick saved.

David’s hat-trick ties him with Mason Greenwood at five goals apiece, with only Bradley Barcola in front of them with six.

 

Madrid’s injury woes

Despite being undefeated, Real Madrid are not without trouble within their ranks, as the defending La Liga and Champions League winners currently have a couple of crucial players dealing with injuries.

Thibaut Courtois, although played the full 90 against Atletico Madrid, struggled with his left foot during the game’s latter stages.

He was then reported to have missed the team’s recovery training after tests confirmed an abductor injury in his left leg, sidelining the French goalie for two weeks.

Andriy Lunin will relieve him for the time being.

Kylian Mbappe was also absent from the Madrid Derby following an injury he suffered in Los Blancos’ win over Alaves. However, according to Champions League 2024 updates, there’s a chance the French superstar features against Lille, should he get a green light from the staff.

Eduardo Camavinga may also be nearing his return from an injury earlier in the season after appearing as an unused substitute against Atletico.

Defender Fran Garcia also suffered an injury scare during the match after Marcos Llorente’s foul on him, which the latter was sent off for.

Meanwhile, David Alaba, Dani Ceballos and Brahim Diaz all remain out.

 

History

This will be the first meeting between Lille and Real Madrid, with the two sides facing different fortunes on Matchday 1.

Los Blancos won 3-1 at the Bernabeu against Stuttgart in a contest that saw Kylian Mbappe and Endrick scoring in their Champions League debut for the club.

Still, Real Madrid are hoping for a good trip to France, with their last two visits in the country ending in a defeat at the hands of Paris Saint-Germain. Nevertheless, they are coming into this game on the back of a 14-match unbeaten run in the Champions League and avoiding a shocking loss would see them tie a record that was set back in Zinedine Zidane’s managerial era.

Lille, meanwhile, succumbed in a 2-0 loss to Sporting CP. Regardless, Les Dogues are hoping that their home advantage will aid them against a formidable foe, with the squad winning their last two European home games.

 

Betting Tip

At 1.52, the SBOTOP Champions League 2024 odds back Carlo Ancelotti’s side to take the win over the underdogs in Lille (5.20), with a draw priced at 3.94.

For my money, this match will be a straightforward affair and it would shock me if Los Blancos don’t have this one wrapped up by half-time.

   

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