Lille - Fernabaçhe: Les Dogues hunting for UCL qualification
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LOSC Lille are within touching distance of a spot in the next round of the Champions League qualifiers, where a potential test against Union Saint-Gilloise or Slavia Prague could await them. Les Dogues are hoping to build on their 2-1 aggregate lead over Jose Mourinho's side thanks to Edon Zhegovra's late deflected winner in Valenciennes, following Tiago Santos' stunning opener from a tight angle.
Bruno Génésio's side are hoping to reach the newly-formatted UCL League stage, having not been present in the competition for three years. It would, if they pass through, give them high profile opposition in European competition until January.
Thomas Meunier: 'Fernabaçhe aren't better than us'
New Lille signing Thomas Meunier is no stranger to Turkey, having spent half of last season at Trabzonspor. "It won't be an easy task. They have their strengths, but I don't think they're better than us, they're no inferior by no means, but not any stronger," said the Belgian defender in Lille's pre-match press conference.
"With what happens on the pitch, Turkish fans can quickly turn against their team. I've seen that on several occasions. That's why it's important to stay focused on our game, to play without fear, to play this dominant football and to want to kill off our opponents as soon as possible. The stadium will do the rest," finished the former PSG man.
Team news: Zhegrova on the bench?
In terms of availability, Zhegrova could be set for a spot on the bench again following his late involvement in the squad's pre-season preparations, whilst the rest of Génésio's squad is seemingly available for selection for the clash against the Turkish Süper Lig side. Jonathan David looks likely to stay at the club, whilst new signing Thomas Meunier is set for another run-out at right-back.
Meanwhile, Jose Mourinho will be looking to bring former Strasbourg man Alexander Djiku back into his starting XI, with a potential involvement for Sevilla and Morocco striker Youssef-En-Nesryi. It's a huge test for Génésio and Les Dogues, but they will travel to Istanbul with that all-important one-goal lead.
Fernabahçe probable XI: Livakovic; Osayi-Samuel, Djiku, Oosterwolde, Kadioglu; Yuksek, Szymanski; Kahveci, Tadic, Saint-Maximin; Dzeko
LOSC Lille probable XI: Chevalier; Meunier, Diakite, Alexsandro, Gudmundsson; Santos, Gomes, Andre, Haraldsson; Cabella; David
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