A Lille bit of luck makes the difference
Written By: Abidoye Babatunde
LOSC Lille secured a first win of the new Ligue 1 season, as second-half goals from Jonathan David and Adam Ounas proved enough to overcome Nantes at the Stade Pierre-Mauroy, extending the Canaries’ dismal H2H record to just one win from 27 matches (D7, L19).
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Having rescued a last-gasp draw against Nice on the opening weekend, Lille manager Paulo Fonesca praised the “character and courage” shown by his side as they look to build on last season’s fifth-placed finish.
The Mastiffs carried the momentum from Bafodé Diakité’s late strike in matchday one into the early stages of this contest, with Alexsandro directing a close-range header narrowly over the bar as the hosts controlled large spells of possession.
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Desperate to end a run of seven away league matches without a victory, Nantes gradually improved as the first half progressed, although Lille continued to look the more threatening of the two sides in the attacking third.
Edon Zhegrova flashed a free-kick wide of the target in another close escape for the visitors, before David fired a powerful effort against the woodwork, leaving Pierre Aristouy’s side relieved to make it to the break unscathed.
In a similar tale to the opening period, Lille emerged after the restart eager to stamp their authority on proceedings, and after several missed opportunities, the hosts finally made their pressure count with a breakthrough in the 66th minute.
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Nantes keeper Rémy Descamps did brilliantly to thwart a close-range header from Rémy Cabella, but the rebound fell kindly to David in the six-yard box, who tucked home to give Lille the lead.
Undeterred by that opener, Nantes went in pursuit of an immediate response, and after substitute Kader Bamba fluffed his lines when well-placed in the box, the Canaries were given a major boost, when Alexsandro was dismissed for a late challenge.
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Armed with the numerical advantage, the visitors continued to push for a leveller, but Stredair Appuah was denied by VAR late on, before the home side added further gloss to the scoreline in stoppage time through a superb Ounas strike to secure a hard-earned three points.
The result extends a worrying run of form for Nantes, who after narrowly avoiding relegation last season, will be desperate to bounce back against Monaco on Friday night.
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