The LOSC attack is marking time… because it does not score.
Since the start of the year, only one attacking element has found the net in 2022. Ironically, it is Isaac Lihadji (3-1 against Lorient, January 19), absent for two matches and uncertain for the reception of Metz at the start of the 25th day of Ligue 1 this Friday (9 p.m.).
This poses the state of Lille's offensive forces, especially since the former Marseillais is not a first-choice element in the Lille workforce.
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We are not in a period where it is clumsiness
, eluded coach Jocelyn Gourvennec on the eve of the meeting.
The attacking players are perhaps a little less in the right shots but from what we see in training, they still have these qualities of finishers.
“Qualities that the Mastiffs would do well to demonstrate again, while the round of 16 first leg of the Champions League at Chelsea looms on the horizon (Tuesday February 22, 9 p.m.).
And to restart the machine, the reception of the second worst defense in Ligue 1 (45 goals conceded in 24 matches) can allow the Mastiffs to find teeth before the various deadlines of the spring.
“
We have to be more efficient offensively
, urged the northern technician.
The players need to find their feelings in front, but it is something that is cultivated.
»
Yilmaz in search of his past influence
Because for several matches, it is the other strata of the workforce that are involved in the two surfaces.
Twice, in Marseille (1-1) then during the rout against Paris (1-5), it was central defender Sven Botman who scored the only goal for Dogues in a crying lack of bite.
In Montpellier last Saturday (0-1), it was the Portuguese midfielder Xeka who allowed his side to regain victory.
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A match where Burak Yilmaz, back from injury, took his place on the bench before returning for the last half hour.
“
Burak made a very good comeback in Montpellier but Jonas Omlin made two good saves
, noted Gourvennec.
He would have deserved to score, he makes the right gesture every time
.
But not fair enough for the Turkish striker (36), who is chasing his resplendent form from last year.
With 4 goals in 21 Ligue 1 matches this season, the "Kral" has passing times well below its standards last year (16 goals, 5 assists), where he was named among the five best players. of the season after leading his team to the title.
Another historic driving force behind LOSC last year, Jonathan David also went through a period of doubt at the start of the year.
After a top first half (12 goals), the young Canadian center forward (22 years old) has been going on since the resumption (he played three matches in one week with Canada) and seems to be out of form.
This does not prevent his trainer from establishing him on each outing.
The click in the feet of Ben Arfa?
If other young attackers gain playing time without weighing on the statistical level (Gomes, Weah), salvation could however go through a much more experienced player in the person of Hatem Ben Arfa.
Remained on the bench in the Hérault, the 34-year-old attacking midfielder remains preserved by Gourvennec for his return to competition after six months out of the field.
Hatem Ben Arfa replaced Burak Yilmaz for his first in the jersey of LOSC, during the defeat in Brest (0-2, January 22).
STEPHANE MAHE / REUTERS
A tenure against Metz this Friday does not seem to be excluded, however.
“
We also have Hatem who knows how to make the right gesture
, recognizes the Breton coach.
He is a more precise player who must help us find more relaxation and fluidity to better finish the actions.
“Or initiate them, as when he had made a festival on the goal of LOSC against PSG, where he had aroused the admiration of a certain Kylian Mbappé.