PLAYER RATINGS | Angers 0-2 Lille: Davide Ancelotti’s Les Dogues off to winning start | OneFootball

Ligue 1 McDonald’s, Matchday 1, 23/08/26

It would be a clash between two new managers as Davide Ancelotti’s Lille OSC travelled to face Stéphane Gilli’s Angers SCO. Ancelotti would come out best overall with a 2-0 win, despite a much-improved second half from Le Sco. 

The Match

There were plenty of unknowns surrounding the start of the Ancelotti era at Lille – not least regarding the futures of Ayyoub Bouaddi and Matias Fernandez-Pardo. The new head coach had never managed in Europe (outside of as an assistant to his famous father Carlo) and was replacing the vastly more experienced Bruno Génésio. 

The signs from his first competitive game in charge were promising, as Les Dogues put on a display that, in the moments when all the moving parts clicked together, was exceptionally attractive. It didn’t take long for Lille to open the scoring, via Olivier Giroud in the 11th minute. The veteran was given acres of space just outside the box, and used the freedom to ripple the back of the net. 

Angers had chances, with RC Lens loanee Anthony Bermont looking the most dangerous on the ball (and off it, considering he picked up a caution early on following two late tackles). However, it would be Lille, who scored next. Tiago Santos placed his shot home on the follow-up after Ethan Mbappé’s effort caused chaos in the Angers’ ranks. 

It was a far better showing from Angers following the break, as Lille’s control of the game collapsed. The hosts dominated possession, and finally were able to get a shot on target following the introduction of the substitute Prosper Peter – even if it was ultimately a tame effort. 

Against the run of play in the second half, Lille would threaten with Hákon Arnar Haraldsson forcing a double save from the former Olympique Lyonnais and FC Nantes goalkeeper Anthony Lopes. Lille would have the ball in the net for a third time in the 79th minute, courtesy of Santos, but the fullback would see his effort ruled out.

Lille Player Ratings

Berke Özer, 5

Romain Perraud, 5

Replaced by Calvin Verdonk in the 76th minute. 

Nathan Ngoy, 5

Alexsandro, 6

Tiago Santos, 7

It’s been a difficult couple of seasons for the fullback following his ACL injury in 2024. He missed most of the 2024/25 campaign and struggled last year. It was back to his best today. He was a constant threat down the right and could have got a hat-trick. It could be a big season for him, and after his troubles, he certainly deserves it. 

Nabil Bentaleb, 5

Ngal’ayel Mukau, 5

Basar Önal, 4

Not the most impressive debut from the new signing. He had a couple of nice moments on the ball in the early exchanges. However, by the time his number was up, it felt as if he had given all he could and that wasn’t exactly much. Replaced by Félix Correia in the 57th minute. 

Hákon Arnar Haraldsson, 6

This is the season where it’s hoped that the Icelandic international will kick on and fully meet his potential. There were certainly more than a few moments where he looked phenomenal. His reading of the game, his ability to unpick the defence, and his shooting promise this could be a big season. Unlucky to have neither got on the scoresheet nor registered an assist. Replaced in the 76th minute by Isaac Cossier. 

Ethan Mbappé, 5

Replaced in the 64th minute by Osame Sahraoui. 

Olivier Giroud, 6

Like last season, Giroud begins the campaign in good form. He looked his age (39) in moments, particularly when he was forced into a foot race. However, he showed that when given time and space on the ball, those old instincts aren’t far from the surface… But you should imagine not many teams will give him that space going forward. Replaced in the 64th minute by Gaëtan Perrin. 

Selected Angers Player Ratings

Anthony Lopes, 7

In general, a very good performance from the veteran on his debut… As you might expect. There was an early moment where he gave the ball away cheaply, and Lille probably should have scored. However, that felt like a blip rather than an indictment. 

Jacques Ekomié, 5

Not much of a performance to shout about for a player who does not look long in Angers’ colours. 

Anthony Bermont, 5

Most creative player… but his timing in tackles put him on a caution early on. His influence in the final third waned somewhat in the 2nd half, when Angers looked at their best.  

Amine El Ouazzani, 4

GFFN | Nick Hartland