One is Canadian and the other Kosovo – two modest football nations – which does not prevent them from carrying LOSC on their shoulders in the Champions League. The first, Jonathan David, is a modern scorer, one of those who runs fast and scores a lot when they hit the mark. The second, Edon Zhegrova, is an old-fashioned player, “an exciting player”, like a pocket winger who tortures defenders whenever he wants.
Lille’s infernal duo shone again against Juventus Turin on Tuesday, November 5, during the northerners’ draw against Juventus Turin (1-1), the third giant they faced consecutively in four matches of the league. Champions League. Thanks to them, LOSC emerges undefeated from a dizzying triptych: Real Madrid, Atlético de Madrid and Juventus.
Shortly before the half hour mark, Edon Zhegrova made a slalom between the Turin players, like a tightrope walker on a wire, leaving behind his counterpart, the Colombian Juan Cabal, before sending a masterful pass to Jonathan David in depth. The fast forward, with nerves of steel, did not tremble to score the first goal of the game.
Ten of Lille’s eleven goals for the duo
Fifteen days ago, the two accomplices had already been the main architects of the Mastines’ success on the Atlético de Madrid pitch. Going into the second half, Edon Zhegrova equalized with a wonderful curling shot before Jonathan David scored a double (3-1). On the second day, it was the latter who converted, against Real Madrid, the winning penalty in added time of the first half. A success that erased a failed start in Lisbon, punished by a clear defeat against Sporting (2-0).
Without them, Lille might not even have reached this unique group of 36 teams, a novelty in this new formula of the prestigious competition. During this summer’s qualifying and play-off phase (Fenerbahce and Slavia Prague), the infernal duo scored five of their team’s six goals, and the Canadian even added two assists. Since Lille began their European campaign on August 8, only one of their goals has not been scored by the two of them, that of Istanbul defender Jayden Oosterwolde against his team.
However, the two strong men of Bruno Genesio’s team could have left northern France during the summer transfer market. David had an exit bonus and thought he could sign up for a big continental club, six years after his arrival in Europe and after four seasons at LOSC, where he scored almost a hundred goals. In the end no concrete offer came for the 24-year-old talent, which was a blessing for the Mastiffs.
You have 48.5% of this article left to read. The rest is reserved for subscribers.
