Sidibé Eyes Derby Triumph as Lille Look to Seal Lens’ Relegation Fate
As RC Lens teeter on the brink of relegation from Ligue 1, Lille defender Djibril Sidibé is showing no signs of sympathy ahead of Sunday’s high-stakes northern derby. With LOSC preparing to host their regional rivals, Sidibé made it clear he is aiming to deliver the decisive blow to Lens’ survival hopes.
“If we win, we’ll really condemn them to Ligue 2,” Sidibé told reporters during a press conference this week. “It has a bit of a whiff of revenge, with that slightly enemy side. For the region, it’s a rather special match. There will be a lot of supporters, atmosphere, and passion. It’s going to be a very good match.”
While Sidibé acknowledges the deep emotional and local significance of the clash, he insists that if Lens are relegated, the responsibility lies with their season-long shortcomings—not a single derby result.
“If Lens go down, it won’t be because of this match—it’ll be because of their whole season,” he added.
Lens currently sit deep in the relegation zone, with time running out to salvage their Ligue 1 status. A defeat to Lille this weekend could all but confirm their return to Ligue 2, just a year after winning promotion.
For Lille, who have endured a turbulent season themselves, the derby provides not only an opportunity to assert local dominance but also a chance to give their fans something to cheer in the closing stretch of the campaign.
With emotions running high and pride on the line, Sunday’s northern derby promises to be more than just a match—it could be a turning point in both clubs’ futures.
