PARIS (Reuters) – Champions Lille did not convert a late penalty and remained within the backside half of the Ligue 1 desk once they had been held to a 1-1 dwelling draw by 10-man Nantes on Saturday.
The end result left Lille caught in twelfth spot, with 18 factors from 15 matches, one level behind their guests who remained in eleventh.
Jonathan David had his Eightieth-minute penalty saved by Alban Lafont after Fabio had given away the spot kick, and been despatched off, for tugging on the shirt of Mehmet Celik.
It was an unconvincing effort from the Canadian worldwide and proved a snug cease for the Nantes goalkeeper.
Lille, whose home type has contrasted with their Champions League exploits the place they prime their group with one recreation to play, went forward early when veteran Burak Yilmaz crashed dwelling a right-footed shot.
The ninth-minute aim was arrange by Jonathan Bamba and steered Lille might break a spiral of disappointing Ligue 1 type.
However, as had occurred six occasions beforehand this season, they failed to carry on to their lead as Nantes equalised within the twenty fourth minute.
Ludovic Blas shrugged off the defensive consideration of each Tiago Djalo and captain Jose Fonte to squeeze his shot contained in the publish to make it 1-1.
Nantes may need taken the lead six minutes later however the effort of former Manchester United fullback Fabio cannoned again off the upright.
Nantes’s Pedro Chirivella missed a great likelihood with some half-hour left earlier than Lille got here again strongly to dominate the closing levels however squandered their likelihood to take all three factors.
Afterward Saturday, second-placed Good entertain Metz whereas Sunday’s standout fixtures see leaders Paris St Germain, with 37 factors, go to Saint Etienne and third-placed Rennes go to Lorient.
(Writing by Mark Gleeson in Cape City; Modifying by Clare Fallon)
