It was not to be missed… After the victories of PSG (4-0 at Dijon) and Monaco (2-0 against Brest), Lille had to beat Strasbourg to keep its lead at the top of the standings.
On arrival, Galtier's men barely managed to snatch the draw ...
What you must remember
Cleared Thursday by Ajax Amsterdam of the Europa League, Lille could fully concentrate on the essentials, now.
The fierce fight for the title, a four-man fight delivered without mercy.
PSG won on Saturday, Monaco did the same this Sunday at noon, so Losc knew what to expect when they received Strasbourg.
But the leader could not get better than a draw at home against the Alsatians (1-1), a point torn which nonetheless demonstrates the formidable spirit of self-sacrifice which animates this Lille group this season.
Long powerless offensively against an iron defense from Strasbourg, despite Jonathan Ikoné not stingy with efforts, the Lille were punished by the goal of Ludovic Ajorque (36th).
The latter won his duel of giants against Sven Botman and scored with a nice volley from the left, only deflected by Mike Maignan (0-1, 36th).
His eleventh goal in the Championship this season, his personal best.
But led, and kept afloat by a good Mike Maignan (38th), the Mastiffs showed character at the end of the match where Christophe Galtier will have launched all his assets and five offensive elements.
Le Losc managed to equalize a few minutes from time, on a furious header from his captain José Fonte (1-1, 86th).
🇵🇹 José Fonte 🇵🇹
The @losclive relies on its captain!
#LOSCRCSA pic.twitter.com/3VeturOlRo
- Ligue 1 Uber Eats (@ Ligue1UberEats) February 28, 2021
The nest egg they had over a starving pack, Lille ended this day with two more points than PSG and four over Monaco.
While the slightest failure can prove fatal in the frenzied battle ahead, Lyon can also pick up in Lille if successful in Marseille this Sunday evening (9 p.m.).
The end of the season will be breathtaking.
The player: Jonathan Ikoné
Of the four teams fighting in front, the leader is however the worst offensive student.
Christophe Galtier's men scored "only" 47 goals, and were powerless in this sector against the Alsatians.
Despite a willful and hard-hitting Jonathan Ikoné, who could have scored after a magnificent rush (32nd) or on his heavy strike released by Eiji Kawashima (62nd).
After a delicate start to the season, the French international is gradually regaining his formidable capacity for percussion.
But the scorer in Lorient on the last day (1-4) failed to find the fault for the fifth time this season.
Fortunately, Fonte scored his third goal to save Lille from defeat.
The number: 4
Le Losc (59) is four points ahead of Monaco (55) after 27 days of Ligue 1 this season.
This is the smallest gap between the leader and the fourth in the top flight at this stage of the competition since the 2010-2011 fiscal year (also 4).