From our special correspondent in London,
The hope only lasted eight minutes. Beaten Tuesday on the lawn of Chelsea (2-0) in the round of 16 first leg of the Champions League, Losc compromised their chances of qualification from the start. Harvestz’s early goal immediately changed the game and forced the Northerners to move forward much earlier than expected. However, it is not for lack of having been warned.
When we asked Alain Roche, match consultant on Canal+ Sport, how to believe in the feat, the former PSG defender had hammered home the importance of the first minutes. “The start of the match will be essential. We must not make mistakes, not cause penalties, not have expulsions. Chelsea will try to have the ball and will want to score quickly. The pressure will be strong. At Losc to keep a cool head and defend well ”. With hindsight, we can say that this premonitory statement was probably not read by Lille players.
Three clear chances and a goal in eight minutes
Because Losc did the opposite. Put under pressure from the start, the Northerners will concede three clear chances in eight minutes by one and the same man: Kai Havertz. On the first (4th), the German international, alone in front of Jardim, sends the ball into the clouds when the goal was wide open. On the second, he finds the Lille goalkeeper on his way.
Finally, the third will be the good one for the Chelsea striker. Free of any marking on a corner from Ziyech, Havertz calmly places his head in the Lille goal and changes the face of the match from the start. “Taking this goal so early on a set stage leaves us with big regrets. It hurt us, ”concedes Benjamin André, the Lille midfielder.
Chelsea quietly managed their quick advantage
The worst thing in history is that Gourvennec had concocted a special tactical device to cause problems and resist Chelsea as long as possible. But if the 4-5-1 system was ideal for defending, it is less practical for creating chances when a player like Onana, a usual defensive midfielder, takes an unusual position as a supporting striker. Especially when you take a goal so quickly.
“It was important to have an additional midfielder to compete inside the game. I think we contained them quite well. Afterwards, it’s very strong opposite but I find that we gave them little. “Exaggerates a bit Jocelyn Gourvennec, the coach of Losc.
Harmless Lille residents
Because once the first goal was scored, we mainly saw Chelsea manage the match in slippers or almost. Never worried in front of goal by harmless Lille, the European champions were able to quietly wait for the Northerners before doubling the hour mark.
“We conceded avoidable goals. We are beaten on a corner and a beautifully played counter. It’s difficult and severe to lose 2-0 given what we produced, ”said Gourvennec. It must be a good leg up for Chelsea, whose game plan worked: put pressure from the start, score quickly and quietly manage their advantage by letting the opponent come. Mission perfectly successful, no offense to Losc.