Lille Misses Europe Yet Again

By: Julien | May 18th, 2008

LOSC played their last match of the season against FC Lorient. It was an away match that helped determine if Lille would make the UEFA Cup or not. Well les dogues blew it. The club was only able to get one point from the encounter. The score ended 1-1. It has been a season complete with ups and downs. Lille has been almost everywhere in the table. At one point les dogues were even in relegation zone. Fortunately, we finished clear of the relegation pit. Our northern rivals, Lens, were not so lucky. Lille ends the season 7th place in the table. Another thing that bothers me is our match record this season. We lead the league in draws with a whopping 18 draws. If Sylva was in goal last Saturday would the outcome have been different? So Lorient deprived us of Europe. Where can the club go from here? Firstly, I feel that we should recruit experienced players during the next transfer window. We have a pretty young squad. One question that has emerged is Mirallas’ future. Could next season be his breakout season? Possibly. I am more worried about our keepers. Sylva may be out, and Malicki is just “meh.” Claude Puel’s reaction said that the club had a great 2nd half of the season. However, he would have liked to see the players rewarded for their efforts. He also said that his side should not feel angry. Instead he considers it to be a positive season. Puel says it was a reconstruction season. Match facts:
Saturday, May 17th, 2008 - 20:50 H (French time)
STADE YVES ALLAINMAT
12,939 spectators

Lorient
16 AUDARD
2 CIANI
15 MOREL
29 MARCHAL (c)
6 ABRIEL
11 LE PEN
ROBERT (46′ )
18 HAUTCOEUR
MARIN (84′ )
23 MANSOURI
24 JALLET
26 JOUFFRE
13 SAIFI

LOSC
16 MALICKI
18 BERIA
19 FRANQUART
20 TAFFOREAU (c)
23 RAMI
7 CABAYE
LICHTSTEINER (51′ )
8 BASTOS
10 OBRANIAK
FAUVERGUE (51′ )
17 MAKOUN
24 MAVUBA
6 FRAU
MIRALLAS (72′ )

Goals
43 ‘ SAIFI (FCL)
55 ‘ BASTOS (LOSC)

Cards
67 ‘ RAMI (LOSC)
79 ‘ FRANQUART (LOSC)
79 ‘ SAIFI (FCL)
83 ‘ MANSOURI (FCL)
90 ‘ +2 MOREL (FCL)