Could this team be the one to pull off a major upset!? LOSC Lille's victory over a formidable opponent reveals their chances and the outlook for the knockout stage.

With their absolute guardian and ace pitcher by their side, they are charging ahead to defeat their formidable opponents.

In their first group stage match, they faced Sporting CP of Portugal. However, they conceded the first goal in the 38th minute of the first half and another in the second half. Having had a player sent off in the first half, they were limited to only four shots throughout the match and suffered a crushing 0-2 defeat. In the following second match, they faced Spanish powerhouse Real Madrid. As expected, it would be a tough match against a higher-ranked opponent, and they were pushed back from the start. However, thanks to goalkeeper Lucas Chevalier, they managed to hold on, and just before the end of the first half, they drew a handball from the opponent from a free kick, earning a penalty kick. Forward Jonathan David calmly converted the penalty, giving them the lead. In the second half, they managed to withstand Real's fierce attacks and secured a priceless 1-0 victory.

Carrying that momentum into their match against Atletico Madrid, they managed to turn the tide after conceding an early goal in the first half, securing a comfortable 3-1 victory. The substitutions proved successful, with striker Jonathan David, who came on in the 20th minute of the second half, scoring two goals, giving them two consecutive wins against the Spanish powerhouses. Although their fourth match against Juventus ended in a 1-1 draw, they went on to win consecutively against Bologna and SK Sturm Graz, putting them in a strong position with 4 wins, 1 draw, and 1 loss. In the seventh match, they faced Liverpool FC, who had advanced as the group winner. Although they conceded an early goal in the first half, they managed to equalize in the second half with a goal from striker Jonathan David. It seemed they could hold on to the lead, but shortly after, Liverpool scored the winning goal, resulting in a heartbreaking 2-1 defeat. However, they quickly made adjustments after that defeat, scoring 6 goals in their final match against Feyenoord. The team won the match with a final score of 6-1, securing 7th place in the group stage and advancing to the knockout tournament.

▼2024-2025 UEFA Champions League Group Stage Results

5 wins, 1 draw, 2 losses / 17 goals scored, 10 goals conceded / 16 points

Predicted formations for the 2025 season

This team's basic formation is 4-2-3-1, and its characteristic tactic is to keep the defensive line high and deny the opponent space. Even in their stunning victory against Real Madrid, they won the ball back with a compact formation and launched sharp counterattacks. The goalkeeper is Lucas Chevalier, who made many big saves in that Madrid match. The defensive line consists of Gabriel Gudmundsson, Alexandro Ribeiro, Bafode Diakite, and Aïssa Mandi from left to right. However, Thomas Meunier sometimes plays at right back, and Aïssa Mandi sometimes plays at center back, so not all players are fixed. One of the two defensive midfielders is definitely Benjamin André. The other spot is contested by three players: Ayyoub Bouady, André Gomes, and Engarael Mukau. Taking into account both ability and future potential, 20-year-old Engarael Mukau has been selected. The second row consists of midfielders Hakon Arnal Haraldsson, Rémy Cabella, and Osame Sahrawi from left to right. This position is highly fluid, with players frequently changing from match to match, and Mitchell Bakker sometimes starting. The lone striker is forward Jonathan David. He is a player worthy of being called an ace, capable of scoring crucial goals in both league and cup matches.

Outlook for the knockout stage - Despite the red card issue, they aim to advance to the top ranks with their momentum.

Lille has an image of being a giant-killer, having defeated Real Madrid and Atletico Madrid in the group stage, but they have also secured solid victories in other matches. In their first match against Sporting and their seventh match against Liverpool FC, they both had players sent off, and in both cases conceded goals after being reduced to 10 men. While having players sent off is part of their ability, it cannot be denied that the outcome might have been different if both teams had played with 11 men until the end. With key players in both attack and defense, such as goalkeeper Lucas Chevalier, who has been the subject of transfer rumors due to his consistent performance, and ace striker Jonathan David, who boasts high scoring ability, they are a team that could be a dark horse in a single-elimination tournament. Judging from their group stage performance, they have more than enough potential to upset the top teams.

*The information in this article is current as of the time of publication.