UEFA Europa League Gameweek 1
Lille 2 - 1 FT Brann
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Futmetrix Verdict
100
FT
Sun, Sep 20
Manchester City
5-3
Sunderland
⚡ Intensity
100
⚖️ Balance
91
🏆 Stakes
67
🎲 Upset
0
Eight goals, hat-trick heroics, pure chaos.
Futmetrix Verdict
55
FT
Sun, Sep 20
Gamba Osaka
0-1
Vissel Kobe
⚡ Intensity
40
⚖️ Balance
20
🏆 Stakes
78
🎲 Upset
0
Erik breaks Gamba hearts at 90'
Futmetrix Verdict
100
FT
Sun, Sep 20
Atletico Madrid
2-1
Real Madrid
⚡ Intensity
86
⚖️ Balance
31
🏆 Stakes
100
🎲 Upset
60
A chaotic derby flips Madrid's hierarchy.
Match Statistics
Possession
Shots
Shots on Target
Expected Goals (xG)
Passes
Pass Accuracy
Corners
Fouls
Yellow Cards
Red Cards
Match Events
Niklas Castro 17'
HT
↓ T. Pedersen ↑D. De Roeve 46'
54' H. Igamane (M. Fernandez-Pardo)
↓ N. Castro ↑E. Gudmundsson 55'
S. Magnusson (N. Holm) 60'
67' ↓ H. Igamane ↑O. Giroud
68' ↓ O. Sahraoui ↑F. Correia
↓ N. Holm ↑U. Mathisen 72'
77' ↓ N. Bentaleb ↑A. Bouaddi
80' O. Giroud (T. Santos)
87' ↓ T. Santos ↑A. Mandi
↓ S. Magnusson ↑B. Finne 87'
↓ E. Kornvig ↑M. Sande 87'
87' ↓ H. Haraldsson ↑S. Diaoune
90'+2 Ngal'ayel Mukau
FT
Player Cards
Our take on every player in this match
Lille
Goalkeepers
Berke Özer 
LATE SHIFT
15
Late Mins
15
Late Mins
93
Total Mins
Started
Entry
Defenders
Tiago Santos 
PROVOCATEUR
5
Fouls Won
5
Fouls Won
5
Duels Won
0
Pens Won
Chancel Mbemba 
WALL
0
Dribbled Past
0
Dribbled Past
3
Tackles
100%
Duel Win %
Maxima Adeagan Goffi 
STORMTROOPER
1
Shots
1
Shots
0
Goals
0
On Target
Calvin Verdonk
WALL
0
Dribbled Past
0
Dribbled Past
4
Tackles
78%
Duel Win %
Midfielders
Ngal'ayel Mukau
LATE SHIFT
15
Late Mins
15
Late Mins
93
Total Mins
Started
Entry
Hákon Arnar Haraldsson 
NPC
87
Minutes
87
Minutes
49%
Pass Acc
6.6
Rating
Nabil Bentaleb 
ARCHITECT
3
Key Passes
3
Key Passes
0
Assists
40%
Pass Acc
Osame Sahraoui
ARCHITECT
4
Key Passes
4
Key Passes
0
Assists
25%
Pass Acc
Forwards
Matias Fernandez-Pardo
ARCHITECT
3
Key Passes
3
Key Passes
1
Assists
18%
Pass Acc
Hamza Igamane 
FINISHER
1
Goals
1
Goals
3
Shots
7.3
Rating
BENCH
Arnaud Bodart 
SPECTATOR
0
Saves
0
Saves
0
Conceded
0
Minutes
Nathan Ngoy
LATE SHIFT
15
Late Mins
15
Late Mins
0
Total Mins
Started
Entry
Aïssa Mandi
LATE SHIFT
15
Late Mins
15
Late Mins
6
Total Mins
Started
Entry
Morgan Costarelli
LATE SHIFT
15
Late Mins
15
Late Mins
0
Total Mins
Started
Entry
Ayyoub Bouaddi
LATE SHIFT
15
Late Mins
15
Late Mins
16
Total Mins
Started
Entry
Olivier Giroud 
CLOSER
1
Late Goals
1
Late Goals
0
Late Assists
75
Minute
Mads Broholm
LATE SHIFT
15
Late Mins
15
Late Mins
0
Total Mins
Started
Entry
Félix Correia
LATE SHIFT
15
Late Mins
15
Late Mins
26
Total Mins
Started
Entry
Soriba Diaoune
LATE SHIFT
15
Late Mins
15
Late Mins
6
Total Mins
Started
Entry
Samy Merzouk
👻 Invisible Nothing to note
Brann
Goalkeepers
Mathias Dyngeland
PROVOCATEUR
1
Fouls Won
1
Fouls Won
2
Duels Won
0
Pens Won
Defenders
Thore Pedersen
WALL
0
Dribbled Past
0
Dribbled Past
2
Tackles
70%
Duel Win %
Fredrik Pallesen Knudsen
WALL
0
Dribbled Past
0
Dribbled Past
3
Tackles
64%
Duel Win %
Eivind Helland
LATE SHIFT
15
Late Mins
15
Late Mins
93
Total Mins
Started
Entry
Vetle Dragsnes
LATE SHIFT
15
Late Mins
15
Late Mins
93
Total Mins
Started
Entry
Midfielders
Emil Kornvig
STORMTROOPER
3
Shots
3
Shots
0
Goals
0
On Target
Jakob Sørensen
LATE SHIFT
15
Late Mins
15
Late Mins
93
Total Mins
Started
Entry
Felix Horn Myhre
LATE SHIFT
15
Late Mins
15
Late Mins
93
Total Mins
Started
Entry
Forwards
Sævar Atli Magnússon 
SNIPER
100%
Conversion
100%
Conversion
1
Goals
1
Shots
Noah Holm 
PROVIDER
1
Assists
1
Assists
2
Key Passes
6.5
Rating
Niklas Castro
LATE SHIFT
15
Late Mins
15
Late Mins
55
Total Mins
55
Entry
BENCH
Tom Bramel
SPECTATOR
0
Saves
0
Saves
0
Conceded
0
Minutes
Mathias Klausen
SPECTATOR
0
Saves
0
Saves
0
Conceded
0
Minutes
Nana Kwame Boakye
LATE SHIFT
15
Late Mins
15
Late Mins
0
Total Mins
Started
Entry
Japhet Sery Larsen
LATE SHIFT
15
Late Mins
15
Late Mins
0
Total Mins
Started
Entry
Denzel De Roeve
LATE SHIFT
15
Late Mins
15
Late Mins
48
Total Mins
Started
Entry
Ulrik Mathisen
LATE SHIFT
15
Late Mins
15
Late Mins
21
Total Mins
Started
Entry
Eggert Aron Guðmundsson
ARCHITECT
3
Key Passes
3
Key Passes
0
Assists
10%
Pass Acc
Mads Sande
STORMTROOPER
2
Shots
2
Shots
0
Goals
1
On Target
Mads Kristian Hansen
LATE SHIFT
15
Late Mins
15
Late Mins
0
Total Mins
Started
Entry
Bård Finne
LATE SHIFT
15
Late Mins
15
Late Mins
6
Total Mins
Started
Entry
Match previews and recaps to help you decide which games are worth watching
Lille
Brann
Lille
Brann
Giroud's Late Heroics Break Brann's Resistance
Average Entertainment Futmetrix Score: 48/100. A relentless second-half siege at Decathlon Arena - Stade Pierre Mauroy finally paid dividends as a veteran striker delivered when it mattered most.
A Tactical Slow Burn
The first half at Decathlon Arena - Stade Pierre Mauroy offered a classic European stalemate. Lille controlled possession, holding 55% of the ball, but struggled to find the final killer pass. The Intensity simmered under the surface. Both sides tested the waters, resulting in a flurry of early corners but little end product. Chancel Mbemba commanded the backline with an outstanding performance, ensuring the hosts remained entirely untroubled during the opening exchanges. Brann sat deep, absorbing the pressure and waiting for an opening on the counter. The sheer volume of chances slowly built up, turning the pitch into a tactical chessboard. A high Intensity rating tells the story of a half where the hosts patiently probed the defensive lines, refusing to panic despite the lack of early goals.
The Breakthrough and the Bite
The match exploded into life after the break. H. Igamane shattered the deadlock in the 54th minute, burying a chance carved out by a pinpoint delivery from M. Fernandez-Pardo. The home crowd roared, sensing blood. But that lead was incredibly short-lived. A sudden shift in Balance saw the Norwegian outfit hit back instantly. Just six minutes later, S. Magnusson silenced the home faithful, converting a slick pass from N. Holm. The momentum swung wildly. A barrage of 29 combined shots across the match meant a draw always felt unlikely. The hosts ramped up the pressure, forcing corner after corner, desperately hunting for a winner. Brann's defensive structure faced a brutal stress test as the game opened up entirely.
The Veteran's Touch
Enter the super sub. Introduced in the 67th minute, O. Giroud proved exactly why he remains a lethal weapon. With the clock ticking down and the Stakes rising in this crucial UEFA Europa League clash, the veteran found his moment. T. Santos provided the service, and Giroud provided the finish in the 80th minute to make it 2-1. This result pushes the French side closer to safety in the playoff zone, maintaining their three-point gap over the visitors. Brann fought bravely but lacked the crucial clinical edge when the game hung in the balance. Ultimately, the quality off the bench proved the deciding factor in a tightly contested fixture that keeps the home side firmly in the hunt.
Key Questions
What made Chancel Mbemba the Man of the Match?
He delivered an outstanding defensive masterclass. His commanding presence and crucial key pass from the backline completely neutralised opposition threats throughout the ninety minutes.
How did substitute Chancel Mbemba change the game?
Despite the question, Mbemba actually started the match. His vital contribution was establishing a rock-solid foundation from minute one, allowing the attackers to press forward constantly.
What is the Futmetrix Score?
The Futmetrix Score is our 0-100 verdict on how entertaining a match is. We look at intensity, balance, stakes, and star quality to tell you if it's worth your time.
Archive note: this preview was written after the match was played.
Playoff Dreams Hang by a Thread
Skip It Futmetrix Score: 9/100. With both sides clinging to the edge of the Europa League playoff spots, this clash promises more tension than technical brilliance.
The Setup
On September 25, 2025, the Decathlon Arena - Stade Pierre Mauroy hosts a tense European encounter. Lille sit in 18th place with 12 points, while Brann are dangerously perched right on the cut-off line in 24th. Despite the low Stakes rating for neutral viewers, the pressure to survive and advance is palpable. The home side brings an inconsistent Form profile into the match, having traded wins and losses over their last five outings. Meanwhile, the Norwegian visitors have struggled to convert draws into victories. With a distinct lack of marquee Stars on display, this match will be won through pure grit rather than individual magic.
Key Battle
The defining tactical struggle will pit Lille's midfield ball-progressors against Brann's resolute defensive structure. A. Bouaddi and E. Zhegrova must find ways to orchestrate attacks through the center of the park. The overall Balance suggests a cagey affair where the away side will likely sit deep, forcing Lille to break down stubborn, organized lines without leaving themselves exposed to the counter.
Our Expectation
Our take points to a scrappy 1-0 victory for Lille. Brann will make it incredibly difficult, heavily congesting the final third, but the French outfit's home advantage and slight edge in midfield quality should eventually carve out a decisive, albeit ugly, breakthrough.