Lille vs Red Star – News and Probable Lineups

In their second Europa League knockout stage match of the decade, Lille will face Red Star Belgrade in the first leg of their playoff encounter on Thursday at Stade Pierre-Mauroy.

Les Dogues concluded the League Phase of this tournament in 18th position after narrowly defeating Freiburg 1-0 during their final matchday, whereas the Sérvians managed to finish two points ahead in 15th, drawing 1-1 against Celta Vigo.

Match overview

Recently, Lille’s domestic performance has not been encouraging, but they did finish the previous segment of this competition on a high note.

Bruno Genesio’s squad has dropped points in six consecutive Ligue 1 matches, with their victory against Freiburg in late January being their only triumph thus far in 2026.

Out of their four home fixtures in the League Phase, the northern French club managed to secure maximum points in three, also achieving two clean sheets along the way.

This week marks their return to the knockout phase of the Europa League for the first time since 2021, when they faced elimination in the playoff stage by Ajax, losing 4-2 on aggregate.

Although Lille has lost their last three knockout matches in this competition, they remain unbeaten in three out of their last four knockout home matches in the Europa League, with their last triumph coming against Liverpool in the 2010 round of 16.

This will be only their second home game in the Europa League against a Sérvian opponent, with the Les Nordistes boasting a 100% record at home against this nation, having defeated Sloboda Uzice 2-0 in 2010 at Stadium Lille Metropole.

After a sluggish start in the League Phase, Red Star gained momentum towards the end of 2025 and have continued that form into the new year.

Initially, they managed only one point over the first two matchdays, but they now enter the knockout stage while riding a five-match unbeaten streak in Europe.

Under the management of Dejan Stankovic, this team has yet to lose in their last six contests, with their only defeat in 2026 being a January friendly against Red Bull Salzburg (2-0).

So far in February, this side has been dominant, securing victories in all four of their competitive fixtures this month, scoring a total of 15 goals while conceding just 2.

Furthermore, they have claimed victory in their last two away matches in the Europa League by a score of 1-0, and will be aiming for their first away win in the playoff round of this tournament.

Red Star has yet to win an away match in França during regular time, but they did secure a 1-0 victory in their only prior encounter with Lille in the League Phase of this competition.

Team News

Injury concerns are expected to keep Noah Edjouma and Thomas Meunier sidelined for Lille, while Osame Sahraoui is dealing with a groin strain, Marc-Aurele Caillard is troubled by an elbow issue, and Ethan Mbappe Lottin remains a doubt due to a leg injury. Additionally, Hamza Igamane and Ousmane Toure are ruled out with cruciate ligament injuries.

Olivier Giroud converted a penalty in the 92nd minute on matchday eight, while Berke Ozer registered a clean sheet without having to make a single save.

There were three changes made to the Red Star starting XI between matchday seven and eight; Vasilije Kostov, Nikola Stankovic, and Aleksandar Katai replaced captain Mirko Ivanic, Tomas Handel, and Milson, who has been loaned to Al Jazira in the Emirados Árabes Unidos for the remainder of the season.

Bruno Duarte came on for Marko Arnautovic with just over 11 minutes left against the Spaniards, netting a goal one minute before the 90 to secure a point for his team.

Lille probable starting XI:

Author; Santos, Mandi, Ngoy, Verdonk; Mukau, Andre, Bouaddi, Correia; Giroud, Fernandez-Pardo

Red Star Belgrade probable starting XI:

Matthew; Seol, Rodrigao, Veljkovic, Tiknizian; Lucic, Elsnik, Krunic, Radonjic; Katai, Arnautovic

On paper, the home team appears stronger, but they currently lack confidence, and it is anticipated that the Sérvians may surprise them and achieve a positive result in this opening fixture.