Fenerbahce vs Lille - Analysis and Insights

Fenerbahce and Lille head into the second leg of their Champions League third round qualifier with the tie finely balanced, with both sides positioning themselves well for the second half of the tie, which is set to be played in Istanbul.

The first match of tie, which finished 2-1 in favor of the French side, was a hard fought, equal affair, in which both sides had opportunities to score more than they finished with, only to be denied by a combination of poor finishing and good goalkeeping.

We have started preparations for the match against LOSC Lille in the second leg of the UEFA Champions League 3rd Qualifying Round. ✅ #FBvLIL pic.twitter.com/tI2AyHWy3R

— Fenerbahçe English (@Fenerbahce_EN) August 11, 2024

With one of these European giants set to miss out on European football this season, and with it a big portion of prize money, we take a look at the players, strategies and major factors that could decide which squad claws their way into the Champions League proper.

Fenerbahce vs Lille First Leg

The first game was a superb game for the neutrals, the tempo remaining high for the whole 90 minutes, although for fans of both sides it would have been a somewhat more stressful affair.

The game started as it meant to go on, as Fenerbahce striker Edin Dzeko flashed wide after five minutes, the first of a host of missed chances from the Bosnian. Two minutes later, Lille’s Angel Gomes tried his luck from a cut back at the edge of the box, and forced Serbian keeper Dominic Livakovic into a good save down low, beginning what would be a very busy game for him.

The game deserved a goal after such a frenetic start, and it duly got one, as in the eleventh minute, Tiago Santos danced down the right touchline, delivered a cross, and the unfortunate back of Jayden Oosterwolde diverted the ball into his own net, to give Lille the lead in front of their home fans.

Lille almost doubled their lead 15 minutes later, when a clearance fell to Angel Gomes 25 yards out. Connecting beautifully, his half volley attempt zipped towards the bottom corner, but Livakovic was ready again, and got down well to parry it away.

Dzeko then saw a flurry of chances fall his way, but saw a 1 v 1 saved by Chevalier in the Lille goal, before a half volley attempt from an angle flashed wide, while Sebastien Szymanski saw a free kick attempt well gathered by the French goalkeeper.

Jonathan David and Lille had the last chance of the half fall their way, as a corner was flicked on to the Canadian forward at the back post. However, he could only poke the ball over the bar from an awkward starting position, and his side went in at half time leading, but all to play for.

Fenerbahce started the second period positively, and former Newcastle winger Alan Saint-Maximin saw two attempts well saved by Chevalier within five minutes of the restart, knowing that at least one should have been converted.

Icelandic winger Hakon Haraldsson then had the chance to double Lille’s lead with a header from six the edge of the six yard box, but Livakovic once again had positioned himself well, and was able to gather the attempt. Angel Gomes almost scored another worldie, but it instead became another “nearly moment”, as his free kick from way out grazed the outside of the right hand post.

Then 77 minutes came around, and substitute Irfan Can Kahveci won Fenerbahce a free kick just a yard from the 18 yard box, the perfect angle for a left footer to lift it up and over the wall. Kahveci did just that, sending a spinning, curling attempt right into the top corner past a rooted Chevalier to equalize for the away side.

Lille had the unnerving task of heading to a hostile Istanbul level on goals against a Jose Mourinho managed side, a situation most sides would take care to avoid. Fortunately, Lille had something, or someone, that Fenerbahce did not: Edon Zhegrova. Coming off the bench with 20 minutes to play, he made his mark in overtime.

He picked up the ball on the right flank, drove inside and took a speculative effort from outside the box that Livakovic looked to have covered once again. However, on this occasion the shot took a wicked deflection and looped into the far corner. It was the 91st minute, and Lille had secured a narrow 2-1 lead to take into their eagerly awaited second leg.

Livaković kurtarıyormuş aq böyle işin pic.twitter.com/f66xg3e99R

— Santino (@SantinoC_1907) August 7, 2024

Lille vs Fenerbahce: Standouts of the First Leg

Even for those who are not familiar with football, most would be in agreement that Dominic Livakovic was Fenerbahce’s player of the match. Making five saves, he looked back to his best after a somewhat leaky Euro 2024 campaign, and when called into action, his acrobatics were on full display.

Flexible in ways that most people are not, he is able to contort his body in such a way that he is able to make a save even if the ball has traveled past him, reaching back and clawing the ball away. He made such a save from a Bafode Diakhite header towards the end of the first half.

For Lille, former Manchester United starlet Angel Gomes shone in the middle of the park, and can consider himself unlucky not to have a goal to his name. The half volley he saw saved by Livakovic was one of the hardest hit shots I have seen, and had it been further from the Croatian keeper it was an almost certain goal.

I don't remotely care about England, but it would be great to see Angel Gomes called up so that the world can see what a talent he is in 2024.

Different to anything England have had previously.#MUFC 🔴🙏 https://t.co/PuCQac2V3A

— Busby Scout 🔴🏴󠁧󠁢󠁷󠁬󠁳󠁿 (@Busby_UTD) August 9, 2024

A real thorn in the side of the Fenerbahce defense, he took a total of five shots, two of them on target, and his close control and passing range had the Turkish side in knots regularly. He looked like the heralded world beater that he was described as when coming through the ranks at Manchester United, and should he continue to play as he did against Fenerbahce, he could impress some bigger clubs across Europe.

Fenerbahce vs Lille Team News

Fenerbahce came through the fixture against Lille untouched by injuries, but Edin Dzeko and Ferdi Kadioglu both picked up bookings. Mourinho may want to consider whether to play Dzeko in particular, as he also picked up a yellow in the previous qualification round against Lugano, and finds himself just one more yellow from a suspension.

Lille are yet to start their league season, meaning they have had no fixtures since the first leg. Picking up no injuries in the game itself, it is very unlikely that has changed in training prior to the match, and the French side will likely have a full complement of players once again.

Fenerbahce vs Lille Predicted Lineups

Fenerbahce (4-3-3): Livakovic (GK), Muldur, Soyuncu, Oosterwolde, Kadioglu, Szymanski, Yuksek, Krunic, Tadic, Batshuayi, Saint-Maximin.

Lille (4-4-1-1): Chevalier (GK), Meunier, Diakhite, Ribeiro, Gudmundsson, Santos, Gomes, Andre, Haraldsson, Cabella, David.

Fenerbahce vs Lille Player to Watch

There were a number of players who impressed in the first leg, with the likes of Angel Gomes and Dominic Livakovic having already been mentioned for their performances.

However, Alan Saint-Maximin looked like a real threat on the left wing, turning Thomas Meunier inside and out with regularity. Premier League fans will know all about the Frenchman’s capability, as in his time with Newcastle, he grew to be a fan favorite at St. James’ Park for his fearless running with the ball and his aptitude for making defenders look foolish.

15.30 Saint Maximin 🎥⌛ pic.twitter.com/t9C5wEYBSP

— DİAS (@VekiliDias) August 11, 2024

He may have left the Premier League behind, but he is still playing at the elite level of European competition, and seeing him in full flow is quite a sight to see. If he hits his stride in the second leg, he has the pure ability to dictate the outcome of the game, and Lille will be hard-pressed to keep him quiet.

Where can I watch Fenerbahce vs Lille?

The match will kick off at 6pm UK time, but there will be no television coverage of the game. However, text commentary will be available on the Sky Sports football app, as well as on any other football scores app you like to use to keep you updated with every kick.