One of six English top-flight teams invited to take part in the inaugural edition of the Premier League Summer Series, Brentford cannot consign their transatlantic crossing to history quickly enough, as Thomas Frank’s side finished dead last without a single victory to their name.
Following back-to-back defeats to Fulham and Brighton & Hove Albion, the Bees played out a terrific watch for the neutrals against Aston Villa, with no fewer than five goals flying into the back of the net before the half-time whistle blew.
Bryan Mbeumo and Josh Dasilva’s early efforts were initially rendered inconsequential by Ezri Konsa, Moussa Diaby and Matty Cash, but Shandon Baptiste ensured that Brentford would at least post a solitary point before the long flight back to base, where preparations for a third Premier League campaign are hotting up.
Prior to their United States stopover, Brentford were also quelled in a 1-1 draw with Boreham Wood and are at risk of going through pre-season without a single win to their name – potentially a concerning omen as they continue to work around Ivan Toney’s lengthy suspension.
Frank’s squad will not experience any hangovers from taxing journeys in the next few weeks, though, as their opening three Premier League fixtures are all against London-based teams in Tottenham Hotspur, Crystal Palace and Fulham.
While Brentford have not been able to buy a victory in pre-season, Paulo Fonseca’s Lille took on Empoli last weekend possessing that winning feeling, having come up trumps in all three of their summer exhibition fixtures on familiar soil.
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Opening their friendly account with a 3-1 win over Dunkerque before thumping Cercle Brugge 7-2 on July 22 – where Jonathan David came up with a fabulous four goals – Lille then pitted their wits against Le Havre and maintained their unblemished record in a 3-2 triumph.
However, Lille’s luck ran out during a 2-1 loss to Empoli last weekend, as Remy Cabella’s goal was rendered inconsequential by Roberto Piccoli and Francesco Caputo, and Fonseca’s side will soon learn their Europa Conference League playoff round opponents before beginning Ligue 1 duties against Nice on August 11.
While several recognisable names in Jonathan Bamba, Jose Fonte and Timothy Weah have moved onto pastures new, Lille are seemingly set to retain David’s services for another year, while French World Cup winner Samuel Umtiti has also returned to his homeland with Les Dogues.
