Lille’s Defense Falters: Injuries and AFCON Absences Loom Against Metz
Lille’s defensive struggles this season have been a significant concern for the team. Under coach Bruno Genesio, they have shown signs of improvement but face a challenging match against Metz on Friday at 20:45.
Lille’s Defensive Woes This Season
Currently, Lille has allowed 30 goals over 20 Ligue 1 games. This statistic ranks them as the 10th best in the league and marks one of their weakest performances in the 21st century. Recent matches highlight a concerning trend:
- 13 goals conceded in the last five games.
- 0-2 home loss against Rennes on January 3.
- 1-4 defeat against Strasbourg on January 25.
Injuries and Squad Changes
The team has faced significant player absences due to injuries. Alexsandro, who returned after a lengthy four-month injury layoff, struggled to regain form, and his quadriceps injury in early September further hampered the squad. Additionally, the transfer of several key players during the summer has weakened the current lineup:
- Lucas Chevalier moved to Paris-SG.
- Bafodé Diakité joined Bournemouth.
- Gabriel Gudmundsson transferred to Leeds.
- Ismaily remains unattached.
To complicate matters, the absence of Chancel Mbemba and Aïssa Mandi due to AFCON commitments has significantly affected Lille’s defensive capabilities. With these gaps, young player Nathan Ngoy struggled to step up, leading to an increase in errors.
Recent Improvements in Defense
Despite these challenges, Lille has started to claw back some stability. The squad managed to secure a 1-0 victory against Fribourg and a narrow 0-1 loss at Lyon last week. Genesio believes that the recent defensive solidity is attributed to enhanced front pressing and improved teamwork.
Upcoming Matches and Player Availability
Looking forward, Lille will have to address further challenges. Thomas Meunier is sidelined with a hamstring injury from the Strasbourg match, likely ruling him out for approximately 15 days. This situation requires Tiago Santos to fill in as right-back.
Moreover, both Ngoy and Mandi will miss the match against Brest next week due to suspensions. Given the current challenges, Lille must quickly adjust to maintain their competitive edge in Ligue 1.
