Pascal Cygan played nearly 200 games with Losc from 1995 to 2002. Man of the comeback in Ligue 1 with Vahid Halilhodžić, the former defender of the Mastiffs also coached several youth teams at the training center from 2014 to 2016. He deciphers for us the key matches that led to this “anything but stolen” title of champion of France 2020-2021.
From a European match at San Siro in the fall to a stunning scenario at Gerland at the end of April, he selected five decisive matches for us.
Many of them in the final sprint.
7th matchday in Ligue 1. Lille-Lens (4-0), October 18, 2020
. “This victory is important for several reasons. Winning this Northern Derby, the first in five years, already means a lot here. Me, I live in Villeneuve-d'Ascq, and I can tell you that it spoke and provoked a lot, as in the return match elsewhere. There was enormous emulation among the supporters. At the time, Lens was 3rd and on very good momentum. We gave a strong signal by beating them widely and without scoring goals, which is Lille's DNA, a solid and hard-working team. "
Europa League group stage. AC Milan-Lille (0-3), November 5, 2020.
“It's not Ligue 1, but for me it's the reference match at the start of the season. Many substitutes in the league were playing that evening, and Christophe Galtier was able to realize for example that he held in front of 5-6 interchangeable players of good level. It is incredible luck. Yazici, who scores a hat-trick, is because he wants to start games in Ligue 1 as well. For a group, it's important to know that the substitutes do the job. This is perhaps what was lacking in PSG, quickly embarrassed when it was deprived of Mbappé, Neymar or his side. "
30th day of L1. Lille-Nîmes (1-2), March 21, 2021. “
We're having a huge season, but some matches like this have been complicated, especially against low blocks. The Losc has a fast attack and transition game. With Bamba, Ikoné on the sides, and Yilmaz as an anchor, we can quickly project ourselves into the opposing camp. But basically, you need a solid middle block. When there is less space, and you have not one but two defenders on your back, it can quickly become difficult for everyone. "
31st day of L1. PSG-Lille (0-1), April 3, 2021.
“That is proof that we did not steal this title. We go 0-0 on the first leg and we win there on the return. In direct confrontation, we are in front of them. All the stars were aligned, in my opinion, so that we could go to the end. Our rapid elimination in the Europa League, then in the Coupe de France, it was bad for good. We were able to avoid the cases of Covid, fatigue, injuries. Then I felt that we had a real chance when PSG took out Bayern in the Champions League quarterfinals. We know the importance of European matches on a physical and psychological level. It is then difficult to get back in the saddle three days later against the 17th or 18th in Ligue 1. ”
34th day of L1. Lyon-Lille (2-3), April 25, 2021
. “This is the most decisive. We are led, we come back twice and Yilmaz puts the 3rd. That evening, we become leader again and above all, we deprive a direct competitor of the chance to be champion. It was starting to smell very good. "
