It’s not worth the feat against Real Madrid or Atletico, but the result and the 3 points are the same. Lille defeated this Wednesday evening their trip to Bologna (1-2) for the fifth day of the Champions League. With 10 points in five games, the Northerners are almost assured of a place in the play-offs, and can even dream of the Top 8.
And yet, their success against the modest Italians, even more inexperienced than them in the European campaign, took time to take shape. Deprived of Edon Zhegrova, who suffered from adductor discomfort at the end of the match against Rennes this Sunday, Bruno Genesio’s men remained too messy offensively despite a certain domination.
It took an improbable double from his midfielder Ngal’Ayel Mukau (20 years old) to break the deadlock. The Congolese, brought forward this Wednesday evening, found himself in the best possible position to punish a big error by the Bolognese defense before half-time (0-1, 43rd), then to regain the advantage over a perfect cross from Matias Fernandez-Pardo, decisive replacement for Zhegrova (1-2, 66th).
Lille almost already blocking
In the meantime, the Emilia-Romagna club, which had not scored in the competition before the match and which thought it had unlocked its counter in the 5th minute before being caught by the video assistance, finally experienced the deliverance on a set piece pushed deep by Jhon Lucumi on which Lucas Chevalier, not very worried this evening, could do nothing. But nothing was enough to hope to score a second goal and hold on to Lille at the end of the match.
With 10 points in five days, Lille will be able to calmly approach their next steps in their European campaign scheduled for December 11. With an opponent within their reach, Sturm Graz, and a good opportunity to move into the Top 8.
