Europa League exit behind them, Lille eye podium with defensive steel | OneFootball

Lille have steadied in Ligue 1 after Europa League disappointment, their podium bid rebuilt on defensive steel. They visit Marseille on Sunday at 17:15 seeking further proof of progress.

L'Équipe notes that Lille can still salvage their season in the league. Their European run ended in Birmingham against Aston Villa in the last 16, 0-1 then 0-2. February opened with four straight defeats, then a 0-0 at Metz on 6 February sparked six unbeaten matches, three wins and three draws. They are five points off Marseille and the podium, and three behind fourth-placed Lyon.

A 2-1 win at Rennes, who had won four in a row, showed Lille can compete with leading sides again. Matias Fernandez-Pardo scored and assisted there. Genesio, irritated by post-Europe criticism, stressed nothing is settled, adding that a good result would only put them in good shape with seven rounds left.

Seven players remain out, including captain Benjamin André, yet a similar XI to Rennes is expected. Aïssa Mandi, Hakon Haraldsson and Fernandez-Pardo are set to return after starting on the bench in Birmingham. There was a sense the league was prioritised, though no one confirmed it and Genesio strongly denied it on Saturday.

Fernandez-Pardo has been involved in Lille’s last three league goals, two scored and one created, and the Belgian could lift an attack still misfiring, Thursday’s expected goals was 0.39. Nathan Ngoy argues defensive solidity is the basis for points. President Olivier Létang often asks for a good result, underlining the pragmatism.

Source: L'Équipe