As Lille prepare to host Juventus at Stade Pierre Mauroy on Tuesday, both teams share six points from three Champions League matches, setting the stage for a thrilling clash.
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This game marks their first competitive encounter, with Lille riding high after toppling Madrid giants and Juventus seeking redemption after recent setbacks.
Match Preview:
Lille, fresh from an unexpected 1-0 triumph over defending champions Real Madrid, now seek consecutive European home wins for the first time. Their confidence soared following an impressive 3-1 comeback against Atletico Madrid, driven by Jonathan David’s late goals.
Despite an initial 2-0 defeat to Sporting Lisbon, Lille’s resurgence, characterized by sharp attacking despite a low shot count (only 18 shots in the campaign, the second-fewest of any team), has them eyeing another big scalp. Their domestic form has been just as strong, boasting eight wins in nine European home fixtures. The 2-2 draw with Lyon, where David again found the net, extended their unbeaten streak to eight games post-Lisbon defeat.
Juventus, on the other hand, started their Champions League campaign strong under Thiago Motta with wins over PSV Eindhoven and RB Leipzig. Their momentum stumbled with a last-minute defeat to Stuttgart, followed by a chaotic 4-4 Derby d’Italia draw with Inter Milan, where Kenan Yildiz’s late brace salvaged a point. Another tie with Parma added to their woes before stabilizing with a 2-0 victory over Udinese, maintaining their unbeaten Serie A status despite six draws in 11 games.
Team News:
Lille’s coach Bruno Genesio is known for rotating his squad—already making 10 lineup changes in the Champions League, the joint-most of any team. Jonathan David, however, remains a fixture, having scored six times in his last eight elite-level games, each contributing to victories. Lille face injury setbacks with Remy Cabella (thigh), Tiago Santos (ACL), Ismaily (knee), Hakon Arnar Haraldsson (foot), and Ethan Mbappe (thigh) sidelined. Alexsandro will be back from suspension.
Juventus face defensive shortages with Danilo suspended and Bremer out due to a knee injury. Nico Gonzalez and Douglas Luiz may miss out due to thigh concerns, while Teun Koopmeiners recently returned to the lineup. Former Lille star Tim Weah is likely to continue in support of Dusan Vlahovic, adding a layer of emotional intrigue.
Possible Lineups:
Lille (4-2-3-1): Chevalier; Meunier, Diakite, Alexsandro, Gudmundsson; Bouaddi, Andre; Zhegrova, Angel Gomes, Sahraoui; David.
Juventus (4-2-3-1): Di Gregorio; Savona, Kalulu, Gatti, Cambiaso; Locatelli, McKennie; Conceicao, Koopmeiners, Weah; Vlahovic.
Prediction Analysis:
Both teams mirror each other in their European campaigns and domestic success, suggesting a closely contested battle. Juventus’ defense has shown vulnerabilities, making it likely Lille will find the net. However, Juventus’ counterattacking prowess led by Vlahovic could see them strike back decisively.
