Lille/Lorient Post-Match Reactions

By: Julien | August 6th, 2007

So Lille drew Lorient at home 0-0 in the opening match of the season. Disappointing start, but I can’t help saying I told you so. Throughout, the mercato (transfer period), I conveyed my frustrations for the current squad and the new recruits. Lille didn’t make any big signings over the summer. We lost a lot more than we gained. The changes were intentional it seems. Puel, and the LOSC management have shown their desire to take young players to the next level. A worthy trade-off? Some would say yes. That was only the first match of the season so things can change. We shall see. Here are some post-match reactions from Tafforeau, Puel, and newspapers.

“Il nous a été difficile de dynamiser le jeu, notamment à cause des nombreux coups de sifflet intempestifs. Nous avons manqué de rythme, on n’a pas su enflammer le match.”
-Claude Puel
Basically, Puel says it was difficult for the club to stimulate their game. Notably, he mentioned that there were several strikes that were inopportune or misplaced. Lastly, he concludes that the club lacked rhythm, and they didn’t know how to ignite the match.

“Il faut arrêter de faire des comparaisons avec l’an dernier. Nous avons un groupe jeune, on le sait. Le public est difficile, ce n’est pas plaisant de sortir sous les sifflets pour un premier match.”
-Tafforeau (LOSC captain)
Basically, he was saying people should stop making comparisons with last season. Lille has young group and people know it. He also says the public is difficult and its not pleasant to leave under the whistles for the first match.

“Lille au ralenti”
A l’issue d’un petit match de reprise, le LOSC n’est que rarement parvenu à menacer des lorientais bien en place” (Franck Le Dorze)
This L’Équipe writer first says Lille in slow motion. He also is basically saying that Les Dogues rarely threatened Lorient.

“La machine lilloise peine à démarrer” (Gaëlle Laurent-Dridi of Nord Eclair)
Basically Lille machine had trouble (or a painful time) getting started.

So those are the reactions from several newspapers. The consensus it seems is that Lille had trouble biting into the match, and performing well. Sounds like Lille deserved to lose. Here’s hoping the next match is more successful. Our next match is against newly promoted Metz.