Lucas Chevalier: “A performance that I will not forget”

Now undefeated in their last eight Ligue 1 matches, Lille (4th, 26 points) remains on par with AS Monaco (3rd, 27 points). Les Rouge et Blanc won on Sunday against Montpellier (2-0). Furthermore, Lille comes within three points of OGC Nice (2nd, 29 points), who lost to FC Nantes (1-0) on Saturday. 

Chevalier’s two saved penalties highlighted an impressive performance by the 22-year-old goalkeeper. Additionally, his consistency throughout the season has been a critical factor in Lille’s defense, which has conceded only 11 goals so far this season.

The goalkeeper stopped penalties from Simon Elisor (29th) and Lamine Camara (55th). His second save allowed him to redeem what had been his mistake because he had caused the foul by coming out late to take the ball off Elisor’s feet.

The local lad saved two penalties against FC Metz 🔥

Mental 🤯

pic.twitter.com/AydmymW7i0

— LOSC (@LOSC_EN) December 4, 2023

His performance will enable Lille to maintain their good momentum with a fifth victory in eight games, keeping them in the league title race and a UEFA Champions League spot next season.

“It doesn’t happen every day to save two penalties,” Chevalier said. “I don’t think this has ever happened to me in my career. It’s good for the confidence and the head (…) It will remain a performance that I will not forget.”

Chevalier assures that he has no particular routine for penalty saving. The Lille star became the fourth goalkeeper to save two penalties in a Ligue 1 match since Opta analyzed the competition (2006-07).

“I don’t prepare for them particularly,” Chevalier added. “When the first shooter put the ball down, he was left-footed. I looked at him for five seconds, and I said to myself that he was going to cross (his shot). I go according to the shooter, I just try to choose a side and not deviate from what I want to do so as not to have regrets.”

Asked after the match about his teammate, attacking midfielder Rémy Cabella praised Chevalier’s remarkable performance.

“If we are here now, it is also because we have a great goalkeeper, and we must congratulate him,” Cabella said. “He can reach a very, very high level, and why not the French national team? I think he deserves it and it will come.”