Few things in football beat the feeling of title contenders facing off in the last stages of a league campaign. The pressure and tension alone give a great sense of occasion, and every now and then, the quality and excitement matches our expectations. That’s exactly what we got in France on Sunday, as Lyon and Lille played out a barnburner of a tie.
Lille came back from two goals behind to earn a memorable win and secure top spot in Ligue 1 with four games to go. The result was symptomatic of both club’s seasons. Lille have been the more consistent side, playing with greater camaraderie and a system that enhances the collective. Lyon on the other hand have relied on the flair of individuals and been led by the talismanic performances of Memphis Depay, all the while retaining the propensity to shoot themselves in the foot.
While we’ve all enjoyed four teams being involved in the title race, the result means we say goodbye to Lyon, leaving Lille, PSG and Monaco to battle it out to be the best in France. Two points separate the top three, and for my money, Lille’s victory today was important because if they are to have any hope of pipping PSG to the title, being ahead is absolutely crucial. Lille’s Achilles heel has been their recent home form, and Christophe Galtier will hope the buoyancy of the win at Lyon gives his players the belief to get the job done.