Lille hold Juventus thanks to in-form David
News
LOSC Lille continued their unlikely run of good form in the UEFA Champions League, picking up a one-all draw against Juventus, a result that leaves them in twelfth place, on seven points, ahead of tomorrow's matches.
Limited options for les dogues
Bruno Génésio's side entered the match in fine form, unbeaten in eight overall, and with historic wins over Atlético Madrid and Real Madrid in this competiton. They would, however, have to contend with a lengthy list of absentees, with Rémy Cabella and Thomas Menuier recently joining the hosts' crowded training table. To cope with these absences, Génésio lined up Aïssa Mandi at right back, and handed another start, as his been his wont, to teenage midfielder Ayoub Boudaddi.
Juventus had their own absences to contend with, namely in the form of center back Bremer, the Brazilian having been a lynchpin for the hosts under the newly-appointed Thiago Motta. Both sides took a positive approach to start the match, with Dusan Vlahovic looking to be sprung clear on the counter by the visitors with regularity, while the enterprise of Jonathan David and Edon Zhegrova looked to the focal point of Lille's attack.
YOU CAN’T STOP JONATHAN DAVID 🇨🇦⭐️ pic.twitter.com/e6ZFevWXP5
— Ligue 1 English (@Ligue1_ENG) November 5, 2024
LILLE STRIKE FIRST... BUT Juventus respond
Indeed, it was on a fine run by the Bosnian international that the opening goal game, with a mazy run and a delicious ball for David being cleverly slotted home by the striker, giving Lille the lead with less than half an hour gone. Chastened, Juventus tried their best to respond and did well minutes later to force a flying save from Lucas Chevalier. It wasn't until the second half that the Bianconeri were able to break the hosts' resistance, though, despite having had a goal chalked off just before the break.
Juventus continued to force the issue, forcing Chevalier again into important interceptions, but it would take a penalty, Benjamin André having brought down Fancisco Conceicao in the area, to level the match. Vlahovic's conversion leveled the match again, but while both coaches made changes, none proved fruitful in earning their team a winner, leaving Lille's unbeaten run intact ahead of their trip to Nice on Sunday.
Read more:
