Lille challenge PSG’s Ligue 1 dominance under Davide Ancelotti

Lille are the only club to have ended Paris Saint-Germain’s dominance of French football in the past nine seasons, and they are emerging once again as the main challengers to the reigning champions.

The northern side, French champions in 2020/21, strengthened their position with a 2-1 victory away to Rennes on Sunday. Rennes had been unbeaten at home in Ligue 1 this season before Lille’s visit.

A disciplined defence has been central to Lille’s progress. They have conceded only seven goals in 10 league matches, an average of 0.70 per game, while goalkeeper Berke Ozer has kept five clean sheets.

Ozer has also yet to lose a home Ligue 1 match. He has won three and drawn two of his five games at home, conceding only three goals.

The team is being guided by Davide Ancelotti, who at 37 is taking charge in Europe for the first time after a brief spell managing Botafogo. The appointment represents the latest stage of a long apprenticeship alongside his father, Carlo.

At Stade Pierre Mauroy, one of Ligue 1’s most passionate stadiums, Ancelotti has been given a supportive setting in which to develop a sustainable project without significant pressure. His family name and ability to speak several languages have also helped him make an immediate connection with the club.

Ancelotti has encouraged a direct, forward-thinking style. When Lille regain possession, their first instinct is to attack the space behind the opposition defence through quick transitions.

The intensity of their pressing varies, with the defensive line occasionally dropping to restrict the space available to opponents. More important to Ancelotti, however, is his empathetic approach to management. He has said he prefers a human relationship with players to one based solely on professional distance.

One of the latest Lille academy graduates to make an impact is Soriba Diaoune. He opened the scoring against Rennes before setting up Nathan Ngoy to complete the comeback.

Diaoune is right-footed but can deliver penetrating passes and shoot effectively with his left. His movement helps create an extra player in attack, while his positioning and intelligent runs away from the ball make him a versatile wide forward.

The 19-year-old has contributed to four of Lille’s last six goals, scoring three and providing one assist. He was also the only Lille player to emerge with credit from their 4-2 Champions League defeat by Galatasaray.

Diaoune scored twice against the Turkish side, briefly putting Lille 2-1 ahead before the match slipped away. The performance confirmed to those at the club that his breakthrough had arrived.

Ethan Mbappe, Kylian Mbappe’s younger brother, is another of Lille’s emerging prospects as an enthusiastic fan base begins to dream of a significant season.

Veteran Olivier Giroud has become a father figure to the two young players, despite not being a regular starter. His experience adds another dimension to a side that must improve in the Champions League, where they are second from bottom.

In Ligue 1, however, Lille are advancing at pace and doing so with growing confidence.