LOSC Lille – AS Monaco: The Tireless Giroud Secured Three Points At The Death (1-0)

With little difference in terms of overall volume of play, Lille managed to take the measurable distance in points thanks to a goal from the 38-year-old striker. Three valuable points considering the similar aspirations of both teams.

Tactical analysis and match report by Juan Lauz.

The early stages of the Ligue 1 2025/2026 season featured the main dish of the second round of the tournament: LOSC Lille, led by Bruno Génésio, against visiting AS Monaco, managed by Adi Hütter.

The hosts had drawn in their opening match, a thrilling 3-3 away at Brest. Monaco, on the other hand, had defeated Le Havre 3-1 at the Stade Louis-II. Both sides entered with similar ambitions: European competition qualification as the immediate priority, with the attempt to finish in UEFA Champions League positions by the end of the season—a target Hütter’s team ultimately achieved.

In anticipation of such an even match, Les Dogues fielded a lineup with three changes, one per line in their 4-2-3-1 formation. The two center-backs, Alexsandro Ribeiro and Nathan Ngoy, remained, as did left back Romain Perraud, whilst Thomas Meunier came in on the right. The partner for Benjamin André in the double pivot this time was 17-year-old Ayyoub Bouaddi. On the wings, Félix Correia on the left and Ngal’ayel Mukau on the right replaced Marius Broholm. Behind the tireless Olivier Giroud was the Icelandic playmaker Hákon Haraldsson.

For his part, Hütter adjusted his usual 4-2-2-2 or 4-2-3-1 shape, opting for a 4-3-3. Christian Mawissa partnered . . .