Ligue 1 2020/21: Lille vs Lyon

Second-placed Lille took on Lyon in this past Sunday’s late kick-off in Ligue 1. The two teams shared the spoils at the end of the contest, as it ended in a 1-1 draw, which means that Lille remain the only side in France’s top-flight who are yet to taste defeat in the league, at this stage of the season. Meanwhile, Sunday’s game leaves Lyon sitting in sixth place on the Ligue 1 table, four points off of third-placed Rennes, who currently sit in a UEFA Champions League qualification place.

In Sunday’s game, these two teams played similarly in some ways and differed significantly in others. In this tactical analysis piece, we will provide a comprehensive analysis of the tactics that both of these sides used in attack, in defence and in transition on Sunday and we will explain how both teams attempted to outwit the other side tactically.

Lineups and formations

As the image above illustrates, Lille lined up in their usual 4-4-2 shape for Sunday’s game. Mike Maignan started in goal for the home side, and he played just behind a back-four consisting of left-back Reinildo Mandava, right-back Mehmet Zeki Çelik and the centre-back pairing of José Fonte and Sven Botman.

Jonathan Bamba started for Les Dogues at left midfield, and Luiz Araújo started at right midfield, while Renato Sanches and Benjamin André were Lille’s central midfield pairing in this one. Meanwhile, Jonathan Ikoné played upfront with Burak Yılmaz for Christophe Galtier’s side.