Champions League Preview: Lille vs Feyenoord
- FIy999 2025/01/28 06:36
- 0 0
Lille and Feyenoord, separated by just one spot in the Champions League standings, are set to face off on Wednesday night in the final matchday of the league phase.
preview
Lille have enjoyed a largely positive 2024-25 season, sitting fifth in the Ligue 1 standings and still in contention for a top-eight spot in the Champions League league phase.
However, the Mastiffs head into this one reeling after suffering back-to-back defeats, losses that devastatingly brought an end to their club-record 21 game unbeaten streak.
The first of those defeats, a 2-1 loss to Liverpool, marked their first since a 2-0 loss to Sporting Lisbon on matchday one of the Champions League league phase, with Lille securing four wins and one draw from the other five fixtures.
Those results leave Lille 12th in the league phase table with 13 points, joint-on points with eighth-placed Bayer Leverkusen and three behind third-placed Arsenal, meaning the Mastiffs are still able to secure a top eight spot depending on results elsewhere.
Although Bruno Genesio's side may lack confidence after a 2-1 loss to Strasbourg in their last outing, their second consecutive defeat, the Mastiffs have lost just once at home this term - 3-1 to Paris Saint-Germain in September - a record they will hope to draw strength from heading into this clash.
Feyenoord are similarly still on the hunt to place inside the top eight of the Champions League, sitting one position above their hosts in 11th and also with 13 points.
Brian Priske, appointed in June 2024, led the side to 15 wins, six draws and only three losses from their first 24 outings across all competitions, but a difficult winter period saw them lose two, draw one and win one in a four-game stretch.
However, Feyenoord emphatically ended that run with a phenomenal 3-0 demolition of Bayern Munich in their last outing, a result that, along with their remarkable 3-3 comeback draw from 3-0 down against Manchester City earlier in the campaign, will provide them with huge confidence heading into this match.
Feyenoord also boast an impressive record on the road this season, losing just one of their 16 away games this term, alongside 10 wins and five draws, while they are yet to be beaten on their travels in Europe.
With the possibility of placing as high as third depending on results across the competition, there is sure to be plenty of drama at the Grand Stade Lille Metropole, and goals are expected in any European match involving Feyenoord, with the Eredivisie powerhouses seeing 32 goals in their seven fixtures - 17 scored and 15 conceded.
Santiago Gimenez has been a major contributor in front of goal for Priske's team, scoring 11 times in his 11 appearances since returning from a thigh injury in late November, as well as four in four Champions League matches, goalscoring form that Feyenoord will be hoping continues on Wednesday.
Lille possible starting lineup:
Chevalier; Meunier, Diakite, Ribeiro, Ismaily; Andre, Gomes; Bakker, Haraldsson, Cabella; David
Feyenoord possible starting lineup:
Bijlow; Nieuwkoop; Trauner, Hancko, Smal; Milambo, Beelen, Stengs; Moussa, Gimenez, Paixao
This article mentions
Related News
Champions League format: How it will work from 2024-25
23 hours ago
Martinez hat trick eases Inter to 3-0 win over 10-man Monaco
1 day ago
Arsenal beat Girona in Champions League to reach round of 16
1 day ago
Atletico Madrid thrash RB Salzburg 4-1 to reach Champions League last 16
1 day ago
Brest 0-3 Real Madrid: Ancelotti's side advance, but still look vulnerable
1 day ago
Barcelona 2-2 Atalanta: Hansi Flick's entertainers finish second
1 day ago
Dinamo Zagreb 2-1 AC Milan: 10-man Rossoneri advance, Zagreb's win doesn't matter
1 day ago
Stuttgart 1-4 PSG: Dembélé shows his class as Luis Enrique's team come good
1 day ago
Champions League playoff picture becomes clear
1 day ago
PSV 3-2 Liverpool: Liverpool secure top spot despite loss
1 day ago
0comments
No comments available