Lille were held to a goalless draw at relegation candidates Metz in the French league on Friday, showing little to worry Chelsea before they meet in the Champions League.
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The game ended on a sour note with Lille substitute Edon Zhegrova sent off in injury time with his second yellow card and Metz coach Frederic Antonetti shown red for his part in an altercation with the Lille coaching staff.
Tempers flared after that with referee Bastien Dechepy booking Lille's Tiago Djalo and Metz' Ibrahim Amadou before the end of the game.
The result against a team that had been level with bottom-side Bordeaux dents defending champion Lille's hopes of European qualification, with star Canadian forward Jonathan David also drawing a blank.
It will also do little to boost confidence before their visit to Chelsea for the first leg of their Champions League round-of-16 tie on Tuesday.
Coach Jocelyn Gourvennec reinstated goalkeeper Leo Jardim after dropping Ivo Grbic and was at least rewarded with his team not conceding any goals.
Australian Associated Press
