The context
A full Stade Pierre Mauroy (for the 3rd time in a row), a thrilling European quarter-final against one of the best teams in the Premier League and total suspense, preserved after a tight first leg in England (2-1 defeat). This LOSC-Aston Villa has everything you need for a great European evening. A week after their first duel at Villa Park, Dogues and Villa’s this time face each other for a direct ticket to the semi-final of the Europa Conference League. It will be without Edon Zhegrova, injured and replaced on the right of the attack by Yusuf Yazici.
The game
In a lively atmosphere, the Mastiffs took control of the game from the start. LOSC moved into the English camp by exerting significant pressure on its host. If Jonathan David’s first shot goes over (9′), Yusuf Yazici’s second goes deep! Served at the far post on a sublime dazzling cross from Gabi Gudmundsson, the Turkish international “finishes” with a clear shot from the left, into the opposite net (1-0, 16′). Here are the two teams tied across the two matches! Lille are very close to taking the advantage on this curling free kick from YY smashed with a header at close range by Benjamin André, but saved with a header by Martinez (19′). The Lille captain took his chance with a header, this time from a corner from Hakon Haraldsson. It’s next (29′).
Rather calm during this first act, Lucas Chevalier still proved decisive by winning his face-to-face with Cash, although the latter was flagged offside (43′). Present in the impact, technically clean, efficient, combative, united and concentrated, LOSC achieved a first period of great quality. He returns to the locker room with a deserved advantage, which could even (should?) have been accentuated.
As soon as they returned from the locker room, Hakon Haraldsson recovered a ball from Tielemans’ feet, took his chance from 20 meters, but missed the target (46′). No more than Nabil Bentaleb (54′). After a first act during which they were taken by the throat, the English raised their heads above water. But the Mastiffs generally remain in control of the ball. On a corner from Yusuf Yazici, Benjamin André climbs higher than everyone at the near post. His lobed header curls into the opposite corner, hitting the bar then the post (2-1, 67′). LOSC takes the lead in both matches! Watch out for the return of the English, who increase their pressure in the last minutes. On a cross from the left, Lucas Chevalier comes out but releases the ball, hitting Nabil Bentaleb in the air. The leather comes back to Cash who reduces the score and puts the two teams level over the two matches (2-1, 89′). Diakité’s header from a corner in the final minutes was captured by Martinez (90’+5).
Back to back at the end of regulation time, the two teams must play an additional 30 minutes. Rémy Cabella (91′) is launched into this extension which is as stressful as it is indecisive. She first sees a fantastic double-parry from Lucas Chevalier. Asked for a long shot, the Lille goalkeeper got up in less than a second to intervene in front of an English attacker who was going to score (100′). Amazing ! Then there is this cross shot from Tiago Santos at the edge of the area (108′) or this curled attempt from Angel Gomes which escapes the top corner (115′). A new reflex save from Lucas Chevalier with his foot, at close range (120′) concludes the match, before the penalty shootout decides between the 22 players.
And in this little game, they are the most realistic Englishmen. The scenario is cruel. LOSC leaves the Europa Conference League through the front door. My throat is tight, but my head is held high. Thank you gentlemen.
the man
Yusuf Yazici. Europe is his favorite playground. Best scorer in the history of LOSC on the European scene, Yusuf Yazici added a 12th goal to his continental tally. The Turkish international opened the scoring with a sublime recovery from the left, perfectly placed along the post of a Martinez planted on his supports.
The moment
67th minute. The moment when everything changes, where LOSC moves for the first time from this double confrontation from the position of hunter to that of the hunted. Who else could Yusuf Yazici’s sharp corner be taken over by, if not captain Benjamin André, already dangerous with a header twice in the first half? Head thrown back. Small opposite net. Mastiffs propelled!
The following
Return to Ligue 1. From Sunday (3 p.m.), LOSC welcomes RC Strasbourg to the Stade Pierre Mauroy, before traveling twice in a week. First in Monaco, Wednesday (9 p.m.), then in Metz, Sunday (1 p.m.).
THE MATCH SHEET
LOSC – ASTON VILLA FC: 2-1 (1-0), 3 tab to 4
UEFA Europa Conference League quarter-final second leg – 2023-2024 season
Thursday April 18, 2024 (6:45 p.m.) – Stade Pierre Mauroy (open roof) – 47,093 spectators
Referee: M. Kruzliak (SVK)
Buts : Yazici (16′), André (67′) for LOSC; Cash (89′) for Aston Villa
Warnings: Zaniolo (21′), Martinez (39′), Emery (44′), Digne (62′), Rogers (76′), Duran (90’+1), Watkins (109′) for Aston Villa; Bentaleb (42′), André (44′), Fonseca (44′), Santos (62′), Gomes (117′) for LOSC
LOSC: Knight – Santos, Diakite, Yoro, Ismaily – Bentaleb, Andrew (c.) – Yazici (Knight, 86′), Haraldsson (Gomes, 77′), Gudmundsson (Cabella, 91′) – David
Coach : Paulo Fonseca
Aston Villa : Martinez – Konsa, Pau Torres, Cash, Digne – McGinn (c) (Duran, 80′, Douglas Luiz, Tielemans – Diaby (Bailey, 69′), Watkins, Zaniolo (Rogers, 29′)
Coach : Unai Emery
