The context
This is the first trip in a series of three consecutive for LOSC, with a stop in Toulouse for this Sunday, before traveling to Reims then… to Austria in Graz for the European Cup! After triumphing over Le Havre last Saturday (3-0), our Mastiffs (4th) are within reach of the podium, with a very honorable start to 2024 (38 points, second defense of the championship). Opposite, Téfécé is stagnating around fourteenth place with 23 points before the meeting and is struggling to escape the hot zone of the ranking. On the infirmary side, coach Fonseca (suspended, he is in the stands this Sunday) records the return of Bafodé Diakité, but deplores the absences of Umtiti, Ilic, Fernandes, Morais, Ismaily and Cabella. Benjamin André is suspended for a succession of warnings.
The game
In a rainy and sometimes choppy first half, LOSC first showed its collective strength against Toulouse, who suffered from opportunities during the first act. Lucas Chevalier, relatively calm, can watch sometimes as David misses his curl after a small offensive bridge from Haraldsson (11′), sometimes as Yazici takes a cross from Bentaleb on the right side, to attempt a cross-shot slammed by Restes ( 13′), or Adam Ounas who took advantage of a counterattack to create a one-two with David and hit a cross low to the post (18′). The young Hakon Haraldsson, holder in the axis, is the symbol of an unsuccessful technical domination certainly, but always threatening : creating a new small bridge thirty meters from Toulouse, the Icelander followed up with a long shot but blocked. Damage !
As half-time approaches, the numbers say nothing other than our eyes: 70% ball possession and 6 shots – off target – for Lille. But the 7th will be the good one, since it is Haraldsson’s opener (0-1, 45′)! On a serve from David at the left entrance to the area, the Lille number seven controls, hooks towards his right foot and torpedoes Guillaume Restes through the Toulouse defense! The Dogues materialize their domination and return to the locker room with a goal in advance.
The second act opens with a cold snap for the visitors: transformed by a squad review (three changes at the break), the Toulouse residents storm Lucas Chevalier’s goal. The worst scenario then occurs: the TFC equalizes almost as soon as the restartfrom a corner, thanks to a corner given by Sierro to Mawissa who finishes the job (1-1, 49′), which completes the revival of the Violets. Lille, stunned, retreated… like Tiago Santos, pushed into error ten minutes later by a breakthrough from Gboho in his area (obstruction). It’s a penalty for Toulouse, who converts the try by Sierro (2-1, 59′) and returns the score. Less than ten minutes later, TFC makes the brand heavier and distances himself, thanks to a counter led by Gboho for Dallinga who escapes and adjusts Chevalier (3-1, 66′).
Stung, LOSC regained control of the ball but without effect – Lille even avoided the painful humiliation of a fourth goal, thanks to Chevalier’s post which repelled a header from Costa (79′). This is very little consolation for our Mastiffs, who are missing – again! – the opportunity to string together two consecutive victories in Ligue 1 after that against Le Havre, and thus take the podium for good.
The following
After Toulouse, our Mastiffs will travel to Reims to continue a new championship meeting. An appointment is made on Saturday at 5 p.m. to finish strong this month of February, before the opening an impressive series of matches (Rennes, Brest and Lens), as well as two duels against Sturm Graz. It would therefore be welcome to take three points in Champagne!
THE MATCH SHEET
Toulouse FC – LOSC (0-1) 3-1
23rd day of Ligue 1 Uber Eats – Season 2023-2024
Sunday February 25, 2024 (3 p.m.) – Toulouse Stadium
Referee: M. Paint
Buts : Haraldsson (45′) for LOSC, Mawissa (49′), Sierro (59′), Dallinga (66′) for TFC
Warnings: Magri (33′), Sierra (70′) for TFC
LOSC: Knight – Santos, Yoro, Alexsandro (Diakite, 83′), Gudmundsson – Bentaleb, Haraldsson (Dago, 83′), Ounas, Gomes – Yazici (Zhegrova, 63′), David
Coach : Paulo Fonseca
Toulouse FC : Restes – Biakolo, Costa, Nicolaisen (c) – Kamanzi, Casseres (Spierings, 74′), Schimdt (Sierro, 46′), Mawissa Elebi, Magri (Dönnum, 84), Gelabert (Dallinga, 46′) – Babicka (Gboho , 46′)
Coach : Carlos Martinez Novell