UCL: David, Zhegrova power Lille in first leg
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In a comprehensive 2-0 home win, LOSC Lille took the initiative in their UEFA Champions League play-off tie against Slavia Prague, leaving Bruno Génésio's side 90 minutes from a place in the league phase.
Dominant but unrewarded
Despite missing Ángel Gomes, who was forced off through injury at the weekend, Génésio kept faith with a 3-2-4-1, playing Haakon Haraldsson alongside captain Benjamin André in midifeld. From the off, the hosts, playing at the Stade Hainaut in Valenciennes, took the game to their Czech opponents, with Gabriel Gudmundsson almost scoring in the eighth minute. After something of a lull, Lille had a flurry of chances midway through the second half, but neither Jonathan David nor Edon Zhegrova could make the difference. The half ended with perhaps the best spell for Slavia Prague, but the visitors were similarly unable to capitalize and the half ended level.
familiar faces on the scoresheet
In the second half, though, Les Dogues' efforts came to fruition. Just six minutes into the half, Haraldsson found David with a sublime ball and the Canadian striker, who has been in fine form of late, duly converted to give his team the lead. Just after the hour, Slavia thought they'd equalised, but their goal was refused for a handball in the buildup. This temporary moment of nerves only served to give Lille more impetus, though, and they soon doubled their lead, with Zhegrova latching on to a ball from David before neatly slotting home to help his team take a more definitive position headed into next week's second leg. Slavia would have the ball in the back of the net again just minutes later, but it was ruled out for offside, preserving what would be the final margin heading in to Wednesday's return leg.
reactions:
Jonathan David: "It's a very good result; even if 3-0 would have been better, we're not going to complain. 2-0 is a great advantage before the return leg. To keep this advantage on the score, we'll have to play the way we did tonight."
Bruno Génésio: "I really enjoyed the match of Edon. I think he was rewarded for his efforts, playing more simple. That is what I have been asking of him for some time, and also in terms of its defensive investment. Which makes his game a pretty complete match. ”
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