This Wednesday, Burak Yilmaz gave hope to LOSC and the entire Pierre-Mauroy stadium.
The hope of seeing Lille's European adventure continue beyond the knockout stages of the Champions League.
Short-lived hope because only ten minutes after opening the scoring from the penalty spot, César Azpilicueta, just before the break, equalized, again giving Chelsea a two-goal lead, who had won at home in the first leg ( 2-0).
Finally, the Mastiffs bowed.
And in addition to having experienced the elimination of their team, the supporters present in the northern enclosure probably attended the last match of the Turk with the jersey of LOSC on the European scene.
Not because the northern club has no chance of qualifying for a continental cup next season,
but good because the future of the 36-year-old centre-forward, whose contract is about to expire, has almost no chance of signing up for the Luchin estate.
It must be said that since the beginning of the new exercise, the “King” Burak is no longer sovereign at all.
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Calendar and results Ligue 1
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A fantastic centre-forward last year…
Last season, Burak Yilmaz was unstoppable.
It was under his leadership that LOSC lifted the French champion trophy.
The striker had finished the 2020-2021 edition of Ligue 1 with 16 goals - and not the least - and 5 assists on the counter;
all in just 28 games played.
In addition to his ability to be decisive, the Turk was a kind of compass for the Lille group, guiding his partners.
Through his commitment, the intensity he put on the lawn - which he still does - at all times, he brought an extra soul which enabled the Mastiffs to win the fourth first division championship in their story.
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Which made Christophe Galtier say, during the final sprint, that the former Besiktas player was a real leader by example: “
It's personality.
There is charisma.
He shows that he is very happy in the victories.
But he shows incredible anger in the poor performance, individual or collective, compared to Benjamin (André, editor's note), who is more measured.
Burak is him in the extremes.
But it's also a good thing,
explained the technician at the end of April.
That we put such energy into victories, for a goal, is very good for our players.
But showing the hatred of poor performance is also good for our young people
.
SEE ALSO -
The incredible impact of Burak Yilmaz at LOSC in 2020-2021
…became inefficient and frustrated
This season, Burak Yilmaz has maintained his infallible state of mind, his incessant activity on the pitch.
But the Turk has lost his luster.
Its performance is no longer the same.
Ten days before the end of the end of the championship, his statistics are almost starving: 4 achievements and 3 offerings.
Largely insufficient for a player of his level.
And inevitably, with this inefficiency, comes frustration.
On several occasions, the native of Antalya showed signs of annoyance.
Whether it's after a miss, a pass that didn't arrive at his feet... or when he was replaced against his will, like against Stade Brestois last October.
Moreover, at that time, Jocelyn Gourvennec, successor to Christophe Galtier, had mentioned the bad patch of his center forward: “
Burak has tension, the fact of being on a less good series tenses the last gesture.
You need more lightness and fluidity, it allows you to finish the actions better
, “said the French technician at the time.
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An inevitable departure
The problem is not so much that "King" Burak went through a difficult period but that it still persists.
The Turkish international (76 caps, 30 goals) failed to regain his level and sank into disappointment.
His future is no longer in doubt.
Under contract until the end of the season, he should not extend his northern adventure, as revealed by
L'Équipe
on Friday.
According to the sports daily, his "
emoluments are no longer in line with the club's policy
".
In any case, did Burak Yilmaz really want to continue in Lille?
Not so sure … His reign with the Mastiffs, difficult since last summer, is therefore coming to an end.
Well almost.
He still has a few matches left - including the one against Nantes this Saturday (9 p.m.) - to help the club qualify again for a continental cup and thus leave like a great lord.
Before going to conquer a new kingdom?
