PARIS — Thirteen matches have passed without a loss for Lille, and the team’s head coach, Bruno Genesio, is accumulating praise for his strategic planning in Europe along with his efforts to nurture emerging talent.
Midfielder Ngal’ayel Mukau was pivotal in Lille’s recent 2-1 victory over Bologna in the Champions League, netting both goals with assistance from the agile 19-year-old right winger Matias Fernandez-Pardo, who played a role in setting up the second goal. Meanwhile, 17-year-old Ayyoub Bouaddi shone in a 1-0 win against Real Madrid last October. Bouaddi made headlines last season by being the youngest player to feature in a European fixture, appearing in a Europa Conference League match against KI Klaksvík just three days after turning 16.
Genesio, who has previously managed Lyon and Rennes, is successfully uniting youthful energy with seasoned expertise in his squad. Lille has not encountered defeat since suffering a 2-0 loss to Sporting Lisbon on September 17. Bouaddi, collaborating with 34-year-old Benjamin André in a dual holding midfield role, has been instrumental in supporting Mukau, who occupies a central position just behind the club’s prolific striker, Jonathan David.
“It’s the first time I’ve played so high up the pitch,” Mukau expressed. “Like all the young players in this squad, I’ve been very well received by the big players in the team.” David is on the verge of a personal milestone, needing just one more goal to tally 100 for Lille since joining in 2020, with hopes of achieving this mark in an upcoming match against mid-table Brest.
Kosovo winger Edon Zhegrova has developed a dynamic partnership with David, showcasing his skills by assisting David’s goal against Juventus last month with an impressive run and pass. The defense is fortified by veteran Belgian right back Thomas Meunier, who brings a wealth of experience from his time at Paris Saint-Germain and Borussia Dortmund.
In goal, 23-year-old Lucas Chevalier is carving out his own legacy, following in the footsteps of Mike Maignan, who moved to AC Milan after winning the French title in 2021. Chevalier’s standout performance during the recent 1-1 draw at home with Juventus has been noteworthy as he continues to rise in prominence within the French squad.
Under Genesio’s leadership, Lille currently ranks fourth in Ligue 1 and 12th in the 32-team Champions League, positioning itself favorably for qualification into the knockout stages of the newly formatted tournament. However, fans are advised to appreciate this competitive phase, as strong Lille teams have not always endured.
The 24-year-old David is likely to attract interest from significant European clubs, with Barcelona reportedly among those keen on securing his talents. Given Lille’s track record of developing young players for substantial sales, newcomers like Mukau, Fernandez-Pardo—who has been with Lille’s academy since the age of nine—and Bouaddi could soon be following suit.
Eden Hazard, a former talent who joined Lille as a teenager, transitioned to Chelsea and would later earn accolades as the Premier League player of the year in 2015. Recently, teenage defender Leny Yoro emerged from Lille’s esteemed academy, transferring to Manchester United during the offseason in a deal worth up to 70 million euros ($74 million). He made his debut for Manchester United on Wednesday against Arsenal after recovering from an injury.
