UEFA Champions League Preview:Lille vs Juventus
- FlashFootball 2024/11/04 08:47
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Champions League | League Stage
Nov 5, 2024 at 8pm UK
Grand Stade Lille Metropole
Lille vs Juventus
Match preview
Having caused a stir with a 1-0 win over reigning champions Real Madrid in their last Champions League home game, Lille are now looking to win back-to-back home games in Europe's top club competition for the first time.
Buoyed by their success against Carlo Ancelotti's men, the French side went on to record a stunning 3-1 victory over Atletico Madrid at the Metropolitano, with Jonathan David's late strike completing a memorable comeback.
Les Dogues have bounced back impressively from their opening 2-0 defeat at Sporting Lisbon to beat two Spanish giants, and will be looking for a third successive high-profile scalp this week.
Making the most of their chances - Lille have registered just 18 shots on target in the Champions League this season, the second-fewest of any team - has certainly helped them so far and they are firmly on course for a play-off spot.
Not only have they won eight of their last nine European home games heading into Tuesday's clash, but their fine form in Ligue 1 suggests that they will give Juventus a stern test.
Although they followed up a 2-0 derby win over Lens with a late equaliser in Friday's draw with Lyon - David's goal took his tally to nine goals in eight games - Bruno Genesio's side are unbeaten in eight matches since the defeat in Lisbon.
Having scored six times in their first two Champions League games under Thiago Motta - against PSV Eindhoven and RB Leipzig - Juventus were confident of their return to Europe's elite.
However, the Italian giants have lost some of their momentum in Serie A since losing to Stuttgart last time out and have slipped further behind leaders Napoli.
After a remarkable 3-2 win in Leipzig, where they were reduced to 10 men, Juve conceded the only goal against Stuttgart in Turin in stoppage time, shortly after Danilo's dismissal.
Days later, Motta's men came from two goals down in a chaotic Derby d'Italia to draw 4-4 with old rivals Inter Milan thanks to two goals from Kenan Yildiz in the last 20 minutes, before coming from behind twice to earn a point against newly promoted Parma.
On Saturday, the Bianconeri regained their composure with a 2-0 win over Udinese to remain the only unbeaten team in the Italian top flight this season - although they have drawn six of their 11 games so far.
Now, ahead of a weekend clash with city rivals Torino, the two-time European champions will be looking to win in France to keep themselves in contention for a coveted top-eight finish.
Recent Performance
Lille Champions League form:DWLLWW
Lille form (all competitions):WWDWWD
Juventus Champions League form:WWL
Juventus form (all competitions):DWLDDW
Team News
Bruno Genesio's selection policy can be unpredictable, with Lille having made 10 changes in the Champions League this season - the most of any team so far - but star man Jonathan David is certain to start on Tuesday.
The Canadian striker has scored six goals in his last eight appearances in Europe's elite competition, and Les Dogues have won all five times he has found the net.
However, fellow striker Remy Cabella has recently been ruled out with a thigh problem, while Tiago Santos (ACL), Ismaily (knee), Hakon Arnar Haraldsson (foot) and Ethan Mbappe (thigh) are also injured.
While the hosts will welcome back Alexsandro from suspension, Juventus will be without two Brazilian defenders: Danilo is serving a suspension, while Bremer suffered a serious knee injury in the win over Leipzig.
Summer signings Nico Gonzalez and Douglas Luiz are both struggling with hamstring problems, further limiting Thiago Motta's options, but Teun Koopmeiners made his first start for several weeks at the weekend.
Former Lille winger Tim Weah, who scored eight goals in 107 appearances for LOSC before moving to Turin, has recently broken into the starting XI and could continue to provide Dusan Vlahovic with support in the final third.
Possible starting lineups
Lille possible starting lineup:
Chevalier; Meunier, Diakite, Alexsandro, Gudmundsson; Bouaddi, Andre; Zhegrova, Angel Gomes, Sahraoui; David
Juventus possible starting lineup:
Di Gregorio; Savona, Kalulu, Gatti, Cambiaso; Locatelli, McKennie; Conceicao, Koopmeiners, Weah; Vlahovic
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