Luiz Araujo equalized with five minutes to go against Montpellier – AFP
- Held in check Friday night by Montpellier, Lille avoided the worst by equalizing late in the match.
- Whatever happens, the northern club will remain leader of Ligue 1 at the end of the 33rd day.
- But Paris, Monaco and Lyon can come back on the heels of Losc.
One point won or two points lost? After their draw (1-1) Friday night against Montpellier, Lille hesitated between two feelings. Led to the score in the 21st minute on a new goal from Andy Delort, the Losc came close to disaster.
After touching the post and seeing several opportunities rejected by Omlin, the Montpellier goalkeeper, the leader of Ligue 1 had a cold sweat. But five minutes from the end, the equalizer of Luiz Araujo, who had just come into play, avoided the worst to Northerners still leaders in Ligue 1 but under pressure from Paris, Lyon and Monaco, his direct competitors for the title, which all play Sunday.
Lille will remain leader at the end of the 33rd day
“Did we let any points slip away or did we win one?” Your turn to judge. Our competitors will have to do the perfect course to get past us. As I speak to you, we have taken an update on everyone. We will take stock of the day on Sunday evening, ”reassures Christophe Galtier, the Lille coach.
If Losc still conceded points at home, where it has won only one of its last five games, the northern club will remain the leader of Ligue 1 whatever happens at the end of this 33rd day. If Paris, Monaco and Lyon can return to one, two and three points respectively in a thrilling title race, Lille will keep their fate in hand with five days remaining. “We don’t have any pressure because we make sure not to put it on but there is the desire to achieve a feat,” admits the Losc coach.
A decisive shock in Lyon next week
Still, the Northerners seem to be running out of steam in the game for several weeks, as evidenced by their offensive ineffectiveness and their technical waste. Conversely, their mentality at the end of the match this season (they scored 15 goals in the last quarter of an hour) allows them to keep faith for the final sprint.
Something to remain confident before the shock in Lyon on April 25. A match that could be a real turning point in a title race more uncertain than ever. For once there is suspense in Ligue 1, we are not going to complain.