Lille OSC ran into a costly loss of points in the battle for the title in Ligue 1 on Sunday evening. The Northern French, who were eliminated by Ajax in the battle for the Europa League last Thursday, did not get further than a 1-1 against RC Strasbourg. draw. For a long time, the team of Christophe Galtier seemed to lose the game, until José Fonte hit five minutes before the end. Due to the points division, Lille will remain in the lead in the coming days, as it is now two points ahead of Paris Saint-Germain and four points ahead of Olympique Lyon, which will play against Olympique Marseille later in the evening.
The home team started the game stronger and seemed to take the lead after more than fifteen minutes of play, when Jonathan David went to the ground in the penalty area of Strasbourg after an outstretched leg. Referee Jerome Brisard was then called to the screen by the video referee, but thought it was too little for a penalty. On the other hand, it was hit after more than half an hour of play. Ludovic Ajorque was tailor-made by Frédéric Guilbert and signed with a handsome volley for his eleventh goal of the season.
Barely two minutes later, that same Ajorque appeared to be doubling the score, when he came out high above everything and everyone and saw a header narrowly caught by goalkeeper Mike Maignan. Lille barely managed to get out in that phase and could thank Maignan that it did not go into half time with a greater delay. Sven Botman, who was taken off by Galtier five minutes before the end, noted the most dangerous opportunity on behalf of Lille shortly before the end of the first half. The defender was found from a corner kick, but was unable to give his header enough power.
In the second half Lille succeeded at times to put more pressure on the well-organized Strasbourg. Jonathan Ikoné was closest to the equalizer after an hour of play, when the midfielder placed the ball in the right corner after a nice solo. Goalkeeper Eiji Kawashima got in the way and kept his goal clean. Also a header could not be promoted to a goal by Ikoné ten minutes before the end. When the game then appeared to be defeat for Lille, Fonte struck. The defender was found from the left by Benjamin André and headed from close range: 1-1.
In the second half Lille succeeded at times to put more pressure on the well-organized Strasbourg. Jonathan Ikoné was closest to the equalizer after an hour of play, when the midfielder placed the ball in the right corner after a nice solo. Goalkeeper Eiji Kawashima got in the way and kept his goal clean. Also a header could not be promoted to a goal by Ikoné ten minutes before the end. When the game then appeared to be defeat for Lille, Fonte struck. The defender was found from the left by Benjamin André and headed from close range: 1-1.