In the opening match of Matchday 36, Lille (currently 3rd) travels to Corsica to face Bastia. A win for Lille would secure their third-place finish in Ligue 1, guaranteeing qualification for the Champions League play-offs. After their 2-1 victory over Bordeaux last weekend, Lille extended their lead over Saint-Étienne (4th) to seven points. With just three matches remaining, a win in Corsica would confirm their Champions League spot for next season.
Franck Beria, one of Lille’s veterans, has expressed pride in the team’s performance after a season full of changes. He acknowledged the team’s achievement despite the fierce competition from the top two clubs, Paris Saint-Germain and AS Monaco. “For a first year, it’s really good. We’re not behind two jokers: it’s Paris and Monaco. We’re not going to get carried away, but we’ve done some serious work this season. We didn’t steal this place from anyone,” said Beria, emphasizing the hard work that has earned Lille this strong position.
