Long led, Losc ended up scoring two goals in quick succession to clinch an important victory (2-1) against Montpellier in the race for Europe, Sunday on the occasion of the 31st day of Ligue 1.
The Northerners (55 pts) thus regain 5th place in Rennes (53 pts), winner of Reims on Saturday (3-0). Montpellier, which has nothing to play for at the end of the season, remains 13th (37 pts).
Anxious to forget the defeat at the last Angers (0-1), Lille initially dominated without setting a big pace.
The first alert came from Timothy Weah but the side crossed his shot too much at the corner of the surface (14th). A corner on the head of Jonathan Bamba then forced Benjamin Lecomte to a good save (19th).
By mounting its block, Montpellier began to hinder the opposing construction.
Wahbi Khazri, launched deep, crossed for Elye Wahi. The striker missed the ball, which landed at the feet of Issiaga Sylla, alone at the far post (0-1, 24th).
One shot, one goal: the efficiency of the Héraultais pushed them to try more transitions. On one of them, a center from Jordan Ferri offered a face to face wasted by Khazri (30th).
Unhappy, Lille coach Paulo Fonseca made three changes at the break. A paying electric shock.
An acrobatic delivery from Jonathan David was not exploited by Benjamin André, too slow in the area (47th).
Suffering, Montpellier was saved by his post on a long shot from Angel Gomes and his goalkeeper on an attempt by André in continuity (58th).
– David joins Mbappé –
By dint of pushing, Lille ended up finding the fault. Left side, Rémy Cabella centered in the area for David, author of a perfect flat foot (1-1, 70th). With this 20th goal, the Canadian joins Kylian Mbappé at the top of the scoring charts.
The Lille immediately went on the attack, again fixing in the axis to spread to the left. Entering the break, the side Ismaily hit hard, Lecomte pushing back on Cabella, former MHSC, who only had to finish with a header (2-1, 72nd).
Montpellier’s timid reaction did not bring a clear chance, Lille managing its lead without shaking until the end.
At the end of the match, one of the LOSC supporters’ managers spoke with the players, criticizing the latter in particular for not having come to greet the park during the defeat at Angers.
“Maybe our supporters were disappointed (after the match against Angers), but they are fantastic,” Lille coach Paulo Fonseca told Amazon Prime.
