LOSC Won’t Suddenly Play Like Man City
- Angers, France – Following Lille's 2-0 victory over Angers, defender Thomas Meunier emphasized the importance of securing a Champions League spot for the club.
- Lille, entering the match in seventh place, risked falling behind in the race for European qualification.
- Meunier stated that after their elimination from European competition,Ligue 1 should be the team's primary focus.
Meunier Urges Lille to Prioritize Champions League Qualification After Angers Victory
Angers, France – Following Lille’s 2-0 victory over Angers, defender Thomas Meunier emphasized the importance of securing a Champions League spot for the club. Despite acknowledging imperfections in their performance, Meunier stressed that claiming all three points was paramount.
Lille, entering the match in seventh place, risked falling behind in the race for European qualification. However, they delivered a strong performance against Angers. “We must leave nothing behind,” Meunier told reporters after the game, highlighting the team’s determination.
Meunier stated that after their elimination from European competition,Ligue 1 should be the team’s primary focus. “since our elimination against Borussia dortmund, we must realize that Ligue 1 remains the priority,” he said. “A qualification in the Champions League, this time directly without going thru the preliminary towers, is really optimal and vital for the club.”
He added, “For the moment, we take points and we hang this top 2, top 3 which, at the end of the season, can change a lot.” Lille briefly moved into second place after the win, before being overtaken by Marseille later that evening.
Meunier acknowledged the tight competition at the top of the Ligue 1 table, describing it as “positive stress.” He said, “For me, it’s exciting.It’s really engaging to see how it goes.” He drew parallels with the Premier League’s battle for Champions League qualification, noting the excitement it generates for fans.
“Marseille, Brest, Reims, these are matches that are cool to play and everyone is in the same boat,” Meunier said, expressing his eagerness for upcoming matches. “We think that a team loses a match and it’s over for her. In reality, another makes a mistake and it comes back. It is something that is intense and that, for me, is amply part of football. And that’s good, it puts Ligue 1 forward.”
Meunier Acknowledges Imperfections in Lille’s Performance
despite the victory, Meunier admitted that Lille’s performance was not flawless. “We cannot say that Angers put us in difficulty,” he said. “we sabotaged ourselves at a few moments. We could have been carried out by two goals after 20 minutes. We disconnect completely at certain times.”
He attributed these lapses to potential fatigue, noting Lille’s busy schedule compared to some of their rivals. “Maybe a little fatigue… If we compare our season with that of Marseille, such as, we played 13 or 14 games more than them. And high intensity matches, since most of them in Champions league. We must not forget that.”
Meunier also highlighted the physical demands on individual players. “many players also chain matches. I think that myself, I have rarely played so much in a season since I was professional. And it’s going pretty well. Fatigue is for me the main element of these ‘absences’.But for the rest, I have fully self -confidence,” he explained.
Despite the fatigue factor, Meunier remained optimistic. “On our side, we also created a lot of opportunities. It could very well have done 0-4 for Lille. And I think we deserve today’s victory (Sunday). Angers did what he could, but it was too fair. We where still quite professional.”
He praised the team’s resilience after a player was sent off. “Even after exclusion, I find that we still managed well. We had half an hour to play 10 against 11 and Angers was not dangerous. I am super satisfied with the result.”
“What matters is victory.You have to trust yourself.”
Meunier concluded by emphasizing the importance of maintaining a winning mentality. “And at present, what matters is victory. It is not now that we are going to start playing like Manchester City. You just have to give everything, win and trust yourself,” he said, looking ahead to their next match against Marseille.
Meunier’s Message: Champions League Qualification is Key for Lille
Q: What was the main takeaway from Lille’s victory over Angers?
A: After Lille’s 2-0 win against Angers, defender Thomas Meunier was clear: securing a Champions League spot is the top priority. He emphasized the importance of the win, recognizing its importance in the broader context of the season.
Q: Why did Meunier emphasize the importance of Champions League qualification?
A: according to Meunier, with Lille’s elimination from European competition, Ligue 1 and notably, qualifying for the Champions League became the main focus.He highlighted that a direct qualification, avoiding preliminary rounds, is “optimal and vital for the club.”
Q: where did Lille stand in the league at the time of the match?
A: lille entered the match in seventh place,facing potential setbacks in thier quest for European qualification. However, the victory against Angers briefly propelled them into second place before Marseille later surpassed them.
Q: How did meunier describe the competition in Ligue 1?
A: Meunier described the competition at the top of Ligue 1 as ”positive stress,” finding it exciting and engaging. He drew parallels with the Premier League, highlighting how such competition captivates fans. He also emphasized the intensity of the league, where teams can quickly gain or lose ground.
Q: Did Meunier think Lille’s performance was perfect in the match against Angers?
A: No, Meunier admitted that Lille’s performance had its imperfections.
Q: What specific issues did Meunier point out regarding Lille’s performance?
A: Meunier noted that Lille had moments where they “sabotaged” themselves and could have conceded goals. He mentioned that they “disconnect[ed] entirely at certain times.”
Q: what did Meunier attribute these performance lapses to?
A: Meunier attributed these lapses to potential fatigue, citing Lille’s busy schedule compared to some rivals, especially considering the high intensity matches in the Champions League. He also mentioned the physical demands on individual players.
Q: What was Meunier’s perspective on his own physical condition?
A: Meunier mentioned that he has rarely played so much in a season during his professional career and is feeling good.
Q: Despite any imperfections, was Meunier satisfied with the outcome?
A: Yes, Meunier remained optimistic, highlighting the opportunities Lille created and arguing that they deserved the victory. He praised the team’s resilience, especially after a player was sent off.
Q: How did Meunier summarize the team’s approach moving forward?
A: Meunier emphasized the importance of maintaining a winning mentality. He stated: “What matters is victory. You have to trust yourself.” He also looked ahead to the next match against Marseille.