Other Competitions
UCL Preview: Lille look to join PSG in quarterfinals
contrasting form
A week ago, the two sides played out an entertaining and hard-fought one-all draw at the Westfalenstadion, with Dortmund opening the scoring through Karim Adeyemeni. Lille would do well to battle back, with Hákon Haraldsson equalizing midway through the second half. Both sides had chances to win, but after Lille's battling display, they will have to feel there is all to play for at home in the second leg.
Lille have had uneven moments in their Ligue 1 McDonald's season, including as recently as an ugly loss at home to Le Havre in early February, but even with major absences such as Edon Zhegrova and Tiago Santos, Bruno Génésio's side has won three of four domestically, the only blemish on that record coming against PSG. Their most recent match, on Saturday, saw them edge Montpellier HSC 1-0, in a scoreline that flattered the visitors thanks to the strong play of Benjamin Lecomte.
As for the visitors, they were also involved in a 1-0 match, only on the wrong side of the outcome. Playing at home to mid-table Augsburg on Saturday, a relatively strong Dortmund side managed a solitary shot on target despite dominating possession. This marked the third time in six matches that the Germans had failed to find the net and perhaps bodes well for a Lille side who have impressively parsimonious at the Stade Pierre-Mauroy.
"We've had an exceptional run"
That solidity has had its individual components -- the strong play of Lucas Chevalier in goal has the youngster knocking on the door of the French national team, for example, but its real strength lies in the experience of manager Génésio (pictured above). Known for his measured tactical approach in his spells at Lyon and Rennes as well, the veteran manager has espoused that his side use the same approach mentally. Not being overwhelmed by the occasion has been instrumental in Lille notching wins over the likes of Real Madrid and Atletico Madrid this season, something the manager underscored pre-match, saying, "We've had an exceptional run and we want it to continue. We have to take embrace the match and enjoy it, remaining calm. One has to be at 100% and not 105% because otherwise you risk being inhibited."
As for the visitors, Génésio's opposite number, Niko Kovac is more circumspect, hoping that his side's experience (Dortmund having reached the Champions League final last year) will make the difference. Said Kovac, "It's 50-50. The first leg was even, so it's going to be very close. My team has much more experience and I hope that will make the difference. We were far too passive in the second half of the first leg."
Thus, the prospect remains of another second leg as tension-filled as this evening, with the hope that for the first time since 2020, Ligue 1 McDonald's can field two sides in the quarterfinals of Europe's premier club competition.
Predicted lineups:
LOSC Lille (4-3-3): Chevalier; Meunier, Diakité, Alexsandro, Ismaily; Bouaddi, André, Mukau; Fernandez-Pardo (or Mbappé), David, Haraldsson
Borussia Dortmund: (4-2-3-1): Kobel; Ryerson, Anton (or Can), Schlotterbeck, Bensebaini; Gross, Sabitzer (or Can); Adeyemi, Brandt, Gittens; Guirassy
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