The game: Thrill despite everything
Make the reigning European champions falter, even for just a few minutes, is the small feat signed by Lille on Wednesday. After an initial wait-and-see period where the two clubs were watched more than they faced each other, LOSC took the bull by the horns and put a bit of madness into a double round padlocked round of 16 second leg. With its limits, of course, but with heart. It’s not enough against a surgical Chelsea if not brilliant. The Blues dominated in the first period, before bending and stinging at the best of times: just before the break, when Lille started to believe it, then at the height of the northern highlight. Clinical. But by framing only a penalty this Wednesday, what could LOSC hope for?
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Players: Ineffective Jardim, Omnipresent Xeka
Leo Jardim had a tough night conceding two goals on Chelsea’s first two shots on target. Waiting on each of them, he suffered from an uncertain placement. Valuable in the middle, Xeka helped put the Chelsea midfield in difficulty. If only he could frame his head. Djalo signed an immense first period and, even if he finished with more difficulty, he looked the Blues in the eye. On the Chelsea side, Jorginho perfectly recovered from the penalty conceded by launching with a marvel of Pulisic caviar on the goal that made the difference. Cesar Azpilicueta, he changed the course of the match by saving in front of Gudmundsson (15th) before offering victory to his team (71st).
The state: 0
For the first time in three years, there will be no French club in the quarter-finals of the Champions League.
The x factor: Xeka, the head of hope
63rd minute, there is only half an hour to make the difference. Lille press but without being dangerous. Until this powerful helmet shot from Xeka, absolutely alone five meters from the London goal. Edouard Mendy is powerless but the post smashes Lille’s hopes. Eight minutes later, Chelsea folded the meeting. Cruel.
The declaration: Jocelyn Gourvennec, coach of Lille
We didn’t deserve to lose this game. We deserved much better given what we produced.
The question: What to remember from the Lille course?
LOSC was to sign the greatest feat in its history but it hit its limits. Jocelyn Gourvennec’s men have nothing to be ashamed of in their round of 16 against one of the great references, but they got away with two defeats and they never seemed able to hope for better. The gap never seemed abysmal with Chelsea, yet, let’s think again, it was. Regrets, LOSC cannot have any. The outward and return scenario can lull the Northerners with illusions but Chelsea have mastered without really trembling.
Lille are ending their European campaign among the top 16 teams in Europe after losing some of their best players last summer and even again this winter. Getting out of a group with Wolfsburg, Sevilla FC and Salzburg, finishing top of their pool and keeping Chelsea under pressure: LOSC have grown and honored their status as champions of France. The next step was too high for a LOSC which lacks madness and talent in attack. He couldn’t hope for better, he just couldn’t afford it.
Thomas Tuchel (Chelsea coach)
Credit: Getty Images
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