Lille have edged one step closer to Champions League qualification courtesy of a goalless draw against Marseille at the Stade Velodrome this evening.
The visitors almost made a perfect start to the match when Pape Souare latched on to Divock Origi's cross in the opening minute, but his header was well-saved.
They came close again shortly before the half-hour mark as Marvin Martin drilled a low effort towards the bottom corner from the edge of the box, but once again Steve Mandanda was equal to it.
The hosts' best moment of the first half came 10 minutes before the break as Andre-Pierre Gignac let fly from long range, only to see his effort go narrowly over the top.
Marseille threatened again in the 66th minute as Florian Thauvin fired an effort towards the bottom corner from the right side of the box, but Victor Enyeama made the save.
Enyeama was called into action again shortly afterwards as he saved Gignac's effort from outside the area before Idrissa Gueye went up the other end and fired a shot wide for the visitors.
Soualiho Meite came close to nicking all three points for Lille in the 80th minute when he fired a shot narrowly wide, but neither side could find a winner in the closing stages as the match ended all square.
Barney Corkhill
