- Formation: 4-2-3-1, transitioning to 3-2-5 in attack.
- In-Possession: Slow build-up from the back, splitting centre-backs with high full-backs.
- Key Players: Angel Gomes (creative brain), Edon Zhegrova (tricky winger), Jonathan David (free role).
- Build-Up Play: Calm, patient with midfielders (Bentaleb, Andre) aiding progression.
- Attacking Phase: Overlapping full-backs, wingers cut inside, positional play with quick 1-2 passes.
- Pressing: Aggressive high pressing in a 4-2-4 formation, using pressing traps.
- Weaknesses: Inconsistent pressing, occasional lack of defensive tracking.
- Possession-Based Play: Emphasises ball control and patient build-up.
- High Pressing: Aggressively presses opponents high up the pitch.
- Fluid Attacking: Encourages dynamic forward movements and position interchanges.
- Overlapping Full-Backs: Utilises full-backs for additional width and attacking options.
- Tactical Flexibility: Adapts formations based on opponents and situations.
- Technical Skills: Focuses on ball control, dribbling, and passing accuracy.
- Youth Development: Integrates young talent into the first team.
- Defensive Discipline: Maintains structured and collective defensive efforts.
Plays a versatile and free role:
- Free Role: Has a lot of freedom to switch positions with the wingers or even rotate with the full-backs, making him unpredictable and difficult to mark.
- Positional Play: He participates in positional rotations, which are a key principle of Fonseca’s attacking strategy, helping to create spaces and disrupt the opposition’s defence.
- Attacking Threat: David often moves across to the right side alongside Edon Zhegrova, contributing to Lille’s primary attacking movements.
- Box Presence: In the final third, David looks for gaps between defenders and shooting angles, making him a constant goal-scoring threat.
- Combination Play: He is involved in quick 1-2 passes and positional rotations, helping to create chances from wide areas.
Plays a significant and dynamic role:
- Tricky Winger: Zhegrova is Lille’s most naturally talented player, known for his flair and creativity on the ball.
- Shot Taker: He takes 3.22 shots per game, indicating his active role in creating and taking scoring opportunities.
- Wide Playmaker: Zhegrova often isolates the opposition full-back, using his dribbling skills to create chances from wide areas.
- Overlapping Support: When the full-back overlaps, Zhegrova typically cuts inside, creating space for the full-back and adding variety to Lille's attacking play.
- Pressing and Trapping: Zhegrova is involved in Lille’s high pressing strategy, helping to force the ball towards specific areas where Lille can win it back quickly.