The Dogues, led 1-0 at the end of regulation time, equalized thanks to Jonathan Ikoné in the 95th minute. Lille is almost eliminated from the Champions League.
Dominator, Lille snatched the draw in injury time against Valencia thanks to Jonathan Ikoné (1-1) Wednesday, October 23, during the third day of the Champions League.
The Losc, who has shown a great willingness, has outperformed the Spanish formation but once again cruelly lacked efficiency. Northerners ran more than their opponents, had possession of the ball (55%), made the trifle of 25 shots against only 6 Valencians … But they failed to win.
And it was on their last shot, a missile from Ikoné under the bar, that they avoided a third defeat in three games of the Champions League this season. The Russian Denis Cheryshev had previously surprised Lille at the conclusion of a cons (62e).
With a point on the clock midway, it would now be a miracle for the Dogues to qualify for the knockout stages of the competition. But the third place, which can be redeemed in 16e Europa League final, remains accessible, subject to a good result in Valencia (4 points) in two weeks.
The domination of the Mastiffs, the wait-and-see attitude of the Spaniards
Under pressure after Chelsea's unexpected victory at Ajax Amsterdam (1-0) earlier in the evening, Valencia, who finished at ten after Mouctar Diakhaby's 84e minute, performed a very dull performance and did not deserve to win.
Christophe Galtier, Lille coach, had attempted a bet by lining up for the first time a central defense to three. And he almost paid off while his players stayed on two bad performances.
"Shaken" by their coach according to the words of midfielder Benjamin André after the disturbing setback at Toulouse on Saturday, the Lille players posted a determination at all times and impose a pressing that has embarrassed the Spaniards. With twelve shots at half-time, the Losc clearly dominates the proceedings against a team Valencia wait. The Spanish coach is also making a tactical change at the break by replacing Kondogbia by Carlos Soler, a more offensive player.
Lille continues its dominance in the recovery, like André, in all the good moves: he places first a little head to side on corner (49e), then crushes an attempt on a recessed center of Celik (60e), before stumbling on Cilessen on a beautiful swinging shot, which he then transmits to Rémy who shoots next to him in an ideal position (74)e).
Ikoné also tries his luck shortly after his entry on the hour of play: he launches a missile of 25 meters that Cilessen pushes as much as he can (67e). The international finally tears a deserved equalizer at the last minute of a powerful shot under the bar (1-1, 90e5).
