Lille went into tonight's encounter searching for three points that would see them move above AS Monaco into second place in the Ligue 1 table.
The visitors were looking for a vital win to move them level on points with fifth-placed Marseille.
Lille dominated the opening exchanges, with Salomon Kalou wasteful having missed a handful of chances. The game continued in the same fashion after half time, with Lille appearing to spurn a number of good opportunities.
However, with just over 15 minutes to play, Reims turned the game on its head as substitute Odair Fortes grabbed an opener. The visitors then cemented the surprise victory minutes later when Grzegorz Krychowiak headed home from a corner.
Lille did pull one back through an Anthony Weber own goal, but it was too little too late as Reims secured a memorable win.
Hello everyone and welcome to tonight's encounter between Lille and Reims. The hosts are looking for a win that will send them above AS Monaco in Ligue 1. Lille have won seven of their last 10 games and drew 2-2 with Paris Saint-Germain in their last game before the winter break.
Eighth-placed Reims could see themselves sitting level on points with fifth-placed Marseille if they're able to secure an away victory this evening.
Reims have been quite prolific this season, having scored 23 goals in Ligue 1, however they have also conceded 21, which goes some way to explaining their current league standing.
The hosts have an outstanding defensive record, with Lille conceding just eight goals this campaign, while also having managed to keep 14 clean sheets. Going forward, Rene Girard's men have scored 22 goals.
We've got some team news for you now, beginning with Lille's starting XI...
LILLE XI: Enyeama; Kjaer, Sidibe, Square, Basa, Balmont, Gueyes, Martin, Mavuba, Kalou, Roux
REIMS XI: Agassa; Signorino, Tacalfred, Mandi, Weber, Krychowiak, Devaux, Oniangue, De Preville, Charbonnier, Ayite,
A versatile line-up from Lille then, with Girard opting for a fluid 4-5-1 formation. Salomon Kalou will lead the hosts' attacking line, with midfield support coming from the likes of Nolan Roux and Antonio Mavuba.
Here's a look at the both sides' benches this evening.
LILLE SUBS: Elana, Rozehnal, Delaplace, Meite, De Mel, Rodelin, Origi
REIMS SUBS: Placide, Fofana, Glombard, Albaek, Peuget, Fortes, Courtet
Alexandre Castro will look after tonight's game, with sideline assistance coming from Cedric Moreau and Regis Gaillard.
Let's not forget that the last time these sides faced each other, Reims ran out 2-1 home winners at the Stade Auguste Delaune.
I'm not so sure I see Reims overcoming Lille tonight, though. Girard's side will be spurred by the opportunity to overtake big-spending Monaco, while their defensive record has been impeccable this season.
Just a few minutes to go until kick off at the Stade Lille-Metropole. It should be an entertaining prospect to see this Lille side in action. For a stats man like myself, the idea of watching the most frugal defensive team in all five of the European leagues is exciting...
Here they are then, the players emerging from the tunnel into an expectant and sold-out stadium.
KICKOFF! Reims get us underway, with the visitors dressed in white and kicking from right to left.
Positive start from Lille as they try to play the ball over the top and into the path of Kalou, however the Reims defence clear.
SHOT! First real chance of the game as Kalou drops deep to get the ball, he plays a one-two and then finds himself with space just inside the box. He checks once, then twice, before firing a shot straight at Agassa.
All Lille here. The hosts' midfield is looking menacing already as Roux and Mavuba nip in and out of the pockets of space in front of the Reims defence.
SHOT! Reims get their first shot away as Lille give the ball up far too easily. It ends up at the feet of Ayite, but the striker hooks his effort wide of goal.
Reims are slowly growing into this encounter. It started off all Lille, however the visitors are beginning to string a few decent passes together, especially in the centre of the pitch.
Kalou is looking dangerous already as he mixes it up between the left and right sides of the pitch. This time he fades towards the right before checking back inside with the ball. However, his resulting cross is cleared with ease.
Lille are currently looking the more gifted of the two sides. Mavuba, Roux and Kalou are threading together some nice passing moves, but Reims remain resolute.
Reims are looking to keep the ball having finally won back possession from the hosts. It might be worthwhile for them to try and take the sting out of this game a little.
More good movement from Kalou. This time he drops deep to draw out the defence. He collects the ball on the turn, but his attempted ball through to Roux is intercepted.
SAVE! The ball breaks to Kalou inside the box, but his effort is far too weak, allowing Agassa to get down low and tip the ball wide of his right-hand post. Kalou should have done better, really.
A bit of a scrappy period here as we approach the midway point in the first half. Reims are yet to threaten going forward, though they haven't given away much defensively either. Lille have had the better of the chances and should be ahead.
Reims still stand firm against Kalou and company. It looks as if they've pushed their defensive line a little higher to try to exert pressure and force the hosts to move the ball a bit earlier. Could be a dangerous ploy, given the pace of Lille's forwards. We shall see...
SHOT! Kjaer shows his frustration at Lille's inability to break down the visitors as the full-back tries to nail an attempt at goal from 35 yards out. Safe to say, he has his head in his hands as the ball flies into the crowd.
Lots of sideways passing from Lille as they try to find a way past the Reims defence. Basa finally gets bored of working the ball and has a go at goal, with his effort trickling into the arms of the welcoming Agassa.
Reims finally get the ball forward and work a neat piece of play outside of the box. However, things become a little bit tentative, allowing Mavuba to swing a boot and clear the ball out of play.
Mavuba has taken a nasty blow to the face. He's been asked to leave the field given the amount of blood coming from his mouth.
A few swigs of water, a shake of the head and he's back on the pitch. Great to see...
Reims get their first enterprising free kick of the night and it's wasted as the ball is whipped straight into the first Lille man without making it into the box. They've offered very little going forward this evening and set-pieces might just be the only way they'll threaten the hosts' goal.
SAVE! Fantastic stop from Agassa to deny Kalou again. Lille win a free kick, which is turned into the box. It's not great but somehow the ball scrambles through the defence and lands at the striker's feet. The former Chelsea man manages to get his right toe to the ball, but the keeper rushes out to smother his effort. Replays show that Kalou was actually offside. It would've been an interesting talking point had he scored.
Lille are all over Reims this evening, but it just feels like the hosts are wasting far too many of their chances. Could a set-piece or piece of individual inspiration turn this game on its head?
The visitors' militant banks of four stand their ground as they shuffle back and forth across the pitch in unison with Lille's sideways passing. Who's going to unlock the door?
Nobody at this rate. Despite their dominance on the ball, Lille are looking poor creatively. The majority of the chances that have come their way have been through luck and they've managed to waste them all.
HALF TIME: LILLE 0-0 REIMS
Well, that was rather dull. Lille have had lots of the ball and don't look like conceding. However, they've also looked devoid of any attacking enterprise. Despite this, they should still be ahead, with Kalou wasting a number of good chances to give his side the lead.
Reims have also played their part in ensuring that both sets of fans probably feel short changed tonight. They've registered one tame shot on target, while their other effort was hooked wide in the opening stages.
Kalou was possibly the most impressive player on the pitch during the first half, however he was also at fault for missing the majority of the hosts' chances. Lille will be looking to their main man to score in the second half. Kalou has scored five goals at home this season.
As you may have guessed, Lille have dominated the possessional stats in the first half, having held 61 per cent of the ball. The hosts have also let fly with eight shots, compared to the visitors' two efforts at goal.
Lille will need to make a bit more of a gamble in the second half. They've been far too passive when going forward tonight.
KICKOFF! Lille get us back underway in the second half. Let's hope we see a little more from both sides.
SHOT! Kalou does his best to inspire his side as he tries an overhead kick while being sandwiched between two defenders. As you'd expect, the ball goes sailing over the crossbar as the striker drops to the deck.
We're seeing a better tempo from Lille in the opening stages of the second half. They seem to be pressing with a real intensity early on.
Signorino does his best for Reims as he rushes forward down the left flank. He beats both Lille men and fires a searching cross into the box. Low and behold, nobody is there to meet the ball, as Reims fail to back up their full-back's run.
SHOT! Lille give up possession in the middle of the park and the balls breaks to De Preville down the right side of the pitch. The midfielder finds himself in acres of space as he moves forwards towards the box, however his shot is too wild and flies wide of the post without troubling the goalkeeper.
More of the same from Reims, really. The moment they do win the ball back it gets pumped forward and Lille reclaim possession with ease.
SHOT! Roux has a go for Lille this time. He waits patiently as the ball is maneuvered outside the box, but when it arrives at his feet he snaps at the chance and drags his shot wide.
Martin is beginning to exert some influence on the game. The diminutive Lille midfielder is picking the ball up at every opportunity and dragging his team forward as they go in search of an opening goal. The fans are yet to get restless and remain behind their team 100 per cent.
Speak of the devil, Martin picks the ball up on the left, but he slips at the vital moment as he looks to pick out Kalou, who is hovering unmarked at the back post.
SUBSTITUTION: Gaetan Charbonnier is replaced by Odair Fortes for Reims. Charbonnier has cut an isolated figure up front this evening and has looked increasingly frustrated.
SAVE! Given their lack of creativity tonight, Lille may have thought a moment of genius would sway things. They're almost handed it by Sidibe, who lets fly with a rocket from 25 yards, which draws a splendid save from Agassa who dives to his right to stop the shot.
SHOT! Ayite tries his luck for Reims and he almost makes Enyeama look silly, but the ball drifts just wide of the keeper's top corner. The Lille stopper plays it off as if he already had it covered, however I'm not so sure about that.
GOAL! LILLE 0-1 REIMS (ODAIR FORTES)
Would you believe it? Reims have done absolutely nothing all game, but somehow they find themselves in front. Sidibe tries to hoof the ball clear, but he hits sub Fortes flush on the chin, with the rebound edging past a helpless Enyeama in the Lille net. One of the strangest goals I've ever seen!
GOAL! LILLE 0-2 REIMS (GRZEGORZ KRYCHOWIAK)
Oh no, how has this happened? Lille find themselves two goals down having dominated this game from the start. The hosts concede a slack corner, which is delivered in towards Grzegorz Krychowiak, who makes no mistake at the back post by heading down into the net. Is this game now over for Lille?
So, Lille concede a quarter of their previous goals prior to kick off in one game? It's an odd one to explain too as they've had complete control all evening. They only have themselves to blame, though, having missed a number of chances in both halves. Kalou might have a bit of thinking to do after this match.
The hosts are doing their best to get back into this, but each time the final ball is required, its quality is poor and Reims clear their lines.
The visitors are already looking to run down the clock and take the pace out of the final few minutes of the match.
LILLE 1-2 REIMS (ANTHONY WEBER, OG)
Hang on, now. Have Lille found their way back into this? Anthony Weber thinks he's about to clear the ball, but his header loops straight over the advancing Agassa and bounces into the net. Game on?
We're going to have three minutes of additional time...
Lille pump the ball long in hope, but it trickles through to Agassa who takes his time before picking the ball up from the deck.
More of the same from the hosts, but this time they give away a free kick after trying to win the ball in the air. Reims will be taking their time with this set-piece.
FULL TIME: LILLE 1-2 REIMS
Well that turned out to be a little more entertaining than first thought... Somehow Reims have come away with all three points, claiming their first win at Lille since 1959. The hosts really should have won that game, had they taken their handful of chances. Kalou will be disappointed, as will the Lille defence who fell asleep at two crucial moments in the match.
Written by
Christopher Dodd
Christopher Dodd
