And that’s all. If they were generally in control, the Lensois must be content with the draw against Lille (1-1) this Sunday, at Bollaert, during the eighth day of Ligue 1. Machado responded to the opening score of André in this meeting. In the standings, before the Rennes-PSG clash (8:45 p.m.), Lens is 14th, and Lille, 7th.
Still on cloud nine after the crazy evening against Arsenal in the Champions League, RC Lens and Bollaert put pressure on their Lille rival from the start. Wahi’s replacement (on the bench), Saïd, came up against Chevalier twice (11th, 15th), then decisively on the head of Sotoca (23rd). The ingredients of a derby were there, commitment, duels and tension which made life difficult for Benoît Millot. The French referee, alerted by the VAR, did not give Lens a penalty on Sotoca’s shot deflected by Aleksandro between the torso and the arm (32nd). The light storm passed, Lille finished the first period better, finding the Cabella-Zhegrova duo between the lines. And in added time, on a corner played by the Frenchman with the Kosovar, the captain of the Mastiffs, Benjamin André, anticipated Samba’s exit to open the scoring (0-1, 45th 3rd).
Surprised and forced to react, the Artésiens missed the equalizer from the restart, Abdul Samed not targeting his header from point blank range (48th). As the minutes passed, LOSC was content to remain compact behind even if Cabella had the ball for 2-0 on yet another breakthrough from Zhegrova (51st). Insisting on the sides, the Lensois struggled to really appear dangerous, their salvation then came from the bench. Franck Haise replaced Khusanov with Machado, Frankowski finding his right wing to push Aguilar back. And a few seconds later, Guilavogui, who also came into play, shifted the Polish piston, author of a perfect cross for the angry header of… Machado (1-1, 70th). Pushed by their public, the reinvigorated Sang et Or then let loose to achieve a 3rd success in a row in Ligue 1. Wahi’s speed worried Chevalier (75th) while Lille proceeded on the counter, David lacking spontaneity in front of Danso ( 78th). The last opportunity, the last thrill, was for Thomasson, hero against Arsenal and unfortunate on this strike from the penalty point which grazed the post (96th).
At the end of a disputed derby, very committed and indecisive, the northern neighbors part back to back, with the same score as last season in Bollaert. Lens will have regrets in view of its clearer opportunities, Lille in view of the scenario. Either way, this draw doesn’t help anyone.
