Lille will be without their star forward, Edon Zhegrova, for another six weeks, at a crucial moment in the season. The French club, who are playing for their European future against Feyenoord on Wednesday (20:00), will face the match without their most talented offensive winger.
A Heavy Absence for LOSC
Having become a key player for the team, the 25-year-old Kosovar international has been sidelined since December 14, when he had to leave the match against Marseille due to a persistent pubic injury.
Lille officially announced on Monday that Zhegrova will remain unavailable for about six weeks, further complicating the situation for a team that has already struggled without him. Recent setbacks in Ligue 1 against Nantes (1-1), Auxerre (0-0), and Strasbourg (2-1) show the lack of creativity and impact on the right flank, compounded by the absences of Tiago Santos and Matias Fernandez-Pardo.
Genesio Acknowledges the Difficulties
Coach Bruno Genesio highlighted the impact of the absences of Zhegrova and Fernandez-Pardo on LOSC’s performances:
“They are causing us difficulties. They are two players who can make a difference. Additionally, Ethan Mbappé’s return is taking time; we can’t rush it.”
Crucial Match Against Feyenoord
For their last Ligue 1 group-stage match, Lille must beat Feyenoord to secure a spot among the top eight and qualify directly for the Round of 16, avoiding the playoffs.
Currently 12th in the standings with 13 points, level with Feyenoord (11th), LOSC doesn’t fully control its destiny. To qualify, they will also need the following:
- Aston Villa to beat Celtic,
- Bayer Leverkusen to beat Sparta Prague,
- Milan to beat Dinamo Zagreb.
Uncertainty Around Zhegrova’s Case
Beyond the sporting aspect, the way LOSC is handling the communication regarding Zhegrova’s injury raises questions. In January, Genesio had ruled out surgery, claiming the player was on the mend. However, a week later, he stated that a full recovery was needed and that his return could not be rushed.
Despite the official statement mentioning only a “medical protocol”, internal club sources suggest that the player might ultimately need surgery. Meanwhile, the specialized site Le Petit Lillois confirmed that it’s a pubalgia injury.
Uncertain Future: Zhegrova to Napoli?
The prolonged absence of Zhegrova is not just about his injury. According to several sources, the Kosovar winger may have already reached an agreement with Napoli, but President Olivier Létang has blocked any sales during the winter transfer window.
Born in Herford, Germany, Zhegrova has never hidden his desire to join a more competitive club, a stance that already earned him criticism last summer. A departure in the upcoming summer transfer window now seems increasingly likely, but in the meantime, LOSC hopes to have him back on the field soon.