Davide Ancelotti's Lille take Ligue 1 lead and turn focus to Real Betis in Champions League
Davide Ancelotti's Lille beat Toulouse 0-1 away to move provisionally top of Ligue 1 with seven points from three matches. Ayase Ueda scored the winner in the 73rd minute. Lille now turn their attention to the Champions League opener against Real Betis on Tuesday.
Byvarela4 min read
Lille, coached by Carlo Ancelotti's son Davide, earned a hard-fought 0-1 win away to Toulouse to climb provisionally top of Ligue 1 after the early games of the third round. The northern club has now won twice on the road and heads into Tuesday's Champions League opener against Real Betis at the Stade Pierre-Mauroy in confident mood.
- Lille have seven points and are provisionally top of Ligue 1, with Monaco still to play this weekend.
- Ayase Ueda, who replaced Olivier Giroud, scored the only goal in the 73rd minute.
- Toulouse remain winless under new coach Jens Berthel Askou.
- Real Betis visit Lille on Tuesday in the first round of the Champions League.
Ayase Ueda scores the winner in Toulouse
The game was decided in the closing stages. Romain Perraud advanced down the left and his effort was pushed away by Mathys Niflore, Toulouse's second-choice goalkeeper. The rebound fell kindly for Japanese striker Ayase Ueda, who had come on minutes earlier in place of Olivier Giroud, and he made no mistake to fire home the only goal of the contest.
Niflore had entered the action just after the hour mark when first-choice keeper Guillaume Restes was forced off through injury. The substitute goalkeeper could not prevent Lille from finding the breakthrough from a second-phase attack.
Lille remain solid after Ayyoub Bouaddi's departure to Manchester City
Davide Ancelotti's side lost their most influential player this summer when Ayyoub Bouaddi completed a move to Manchester City. Despite that significant departure, Lille have started the season well, with away victories against Angers and now Toulouse, plus a bittersweet home draw with Paris Saint-Germain.
In that match, Lille led 2-0 at home and saw their advantage disappear in stoppage time as PSG snatched an equaliser. Even so, the promising start gives the club reasons for optimism ahead of Tuesday's European test against Real Betis.
What is at stake for Lille in the Champions League opener against Real Betis
Lille welcome Real Betis to the Stade Pierre-Mauroy on Tuesday as both sides begin their campaigns in the new Champions League format. A home win is particularly valuable in a league phase where every club plays eight matches and early points can shape qualification hopes.
Lille arrive with confidence and a reliable defence: they have conceded just two goals in their first three Ligue 1 fixtures, one of them in added time against PSG. Real Betis face a demanding trip to northern France to open their continental season.
The battle for the top of Ligue 1
The victory in Toulouse leaves Lille top of the table with seven points. Behind them are Monaco, the only team in the division with a perfect record, who visit PSG on Friday. A win at the Parc des Princes would take Monaco back to the summit.
Toulouse still searching for a first win
Toulouse have begun a new era on the bench, with Jens Berthel Askou replacing Spanish coach Carles Martínez. So far results have not followed: the team lost to Lyon and drew with Brest before this 0-1 defeat against Lille.
Frequently asked questions
Frequently asked questions
When do Lille play Real Betis in the Champions League?
Lille host Real Betis on Tuesday at the Stade Pierre-Mauroy in the first round of the Champions League. It is the European opener for both clubs in the new format.
How many points do Lille have in Ligue 1?
Lille have seven points after three matches. They have beaten Angers and Toulouse away and drawn at home with Paris Saint-Germain.
Who scored Lille's goal against Toulouse?
Ayase Ueda scored the goal in the 73rd minute. The Japanese forward pounced on a rebound after Romain Perraud's shot was saved and finished well to secure the win.