2Slick
06-12-2006, 21:05
LOSC Lille Métropole won 2-0 at AC Milan to progress to the knockout rounds of the UEFA Champions League for the first time in their history as runners-up to the Rossoneri in Group H.
Famous victory
Lille's hopes of qualifying had seemingly taken a fatal blow when they only drew 2-2 with RSC Anderlecht last time out, but the Belgian club did their French rivals a favour tonight by repeating that scoreline at home to AEK Athens FC when an away win would have rendered Lille’s famous victory meaningless. Peter Odemwingie and Kader Keita were on target for Claude Puel’s side, who showed more enterprise than their illustrious hosts from start to finish.
Odemwingie opener
Lille coach Claude Puel had urged his side not to come away from the match harbouring any regrets and with that in mind the French side started positively. Kader dispossessed Kakha Kaladze after just five minutes and teed up Odemwingie, who forced Zeljko Kalac into an instinctive save with a fierce strike from ten metres. But Kalac, deputising for the injured Dida, was not so sharp in dealing with Lille's next attack two minutes later. Mathieu Bodmer surprised him with a powerful shot from distance which the Australian could only palm one-handed into the path of Odemwingie, who volleyed in from close range.
Lille control
Having wrested the advantage, Lille were content to let Milan, minus the creative skills of substitute Kaká, come at them but, if anything, it was the away side who looked the more likely scorers. On 20 minutes they almost did when Odemwingie broke clear down the left only to see his shot repelled by Kalac, and midway through the half, the giant custodian was almost caught out for a second time when Keita chanced his arm from all of 30 metres. His low shot deflected off Kaladze and narrlowly wide of the far post.
Boriello appeal
Milan's clearest chance of a goal before the interval came when Yoann Gourcuff twisted and turned in the area before finding Marco Boriello who collapsed appealing for a penalty. Lille's attempts were more direct, such as a curling free-kick from Yohan Cabaye which Kalac tipped over the bar at full strength soon after. Despite the early second-half introductions of Clarence Seedorf and Kaká the Rossoneri struggled to cope with their well-organised opponents who threatened with every counterattack. Odemwingie was put clean through again by Keita’s exquisite pass in the 50th minute but shot straight at Kalac with the unmarked Bodmer screaming for the square pass.
Inzaghi chance
Odemwingie was almost punished for his miss when Filippo Inzaghi headed Gourcuff’s corner against the bar with an hour gone but the travelling supporters behind Grégory Malicki's goal found their voice as news of Anderlecht’s second goal filtered through - a collective voice became a roar when their side also took a two-goal lead on 67 minutes. The excellent Kader raced 40 metres with the ball, exchanged a one-two with Bodmer and delivered a cool finish with his right foot to put the win beyond doubt and a dramatic qualification within touching distance.
Festivities
On what proved to be the best night of European football in Lille's history, Cabaye even found the time to rattle a long shot off the bar before the festivities began.
http://www.uefa.com/Competitions/UCL/FixturesResults/Round=2357/match=1116409/report=RP.html
Famous victory
Lille's hopes of qualifying had seemingly taken a fatal blow when they only drew 2-2 with RSC Anderlecht last time out, but the Belgian club did their French rivals a favour tonight by repeating that scoreline at home to AEK Athens FC when an away win would have rendered Lille’s famous victory meaningless. Peter Odemwingie and Kader Keita were on target for Claude Puel’s side, who showed more enterprise than their illustrious hosts from start to finish.
Odemwingie opener
Lille coach Claude Puel had urged his side not to come away from the match harbouring any regrets and with that in mind the French side started positively. Kader dispossessed Kakha Kaladze after just five minutes and teed up Odemwingie, who forced Zeljko Kalac into an instinctive save with a fierce strike from ten metres. But Kalac, deputising for the injured Dida, was not so sharp in dealing with Lille's next attack two minutes later. Mathieu Bodmer surprised him with a powerful shot from distance which the Australian could only palm one-handed into the path of Odemwingie, who volleyed in from close range.
Lille control
Having wrested the advantage, Lille were content to let Milan, minus the creative skills of substitute Kaká, come at them but, if anything, it was the away side who looked the more likely scorers. On 20 minutes they almost did when Odemwingie broke clear down the left only to see his shot repelled by Kalac, and midway through the half, the giant custodian was almost caught out for a second time when Keita chanced his arm from all of 30 metres. His low shot deflected off Kaladze and narrlowly wide of the far post.
Boriello appeal
Milan's clearest chance of a goal before the interval came when Yoann Gourcuff twisted and turned in the area before finding Marco Boriello who collapsed appealing for a penalty. Lille's attempts were more direct, such as a curling free-kick from Yohan Cabaye which Kalac tipped over the bar at full strength soon after. Despite the early second-half introductions of Clarence Seedorf and Kaká the Rossoneri struggled to cope with their well-organised opponents who threatened with every counterattack. Odemwingie was put clean through again by Keita’s exquisite pass in the 50th minute but shot straight at Kalac with the unmarked Bodmer screaming for the square pass.
Inzaghi chance
Odemwingie was almost punished for his miss when Filippo Inzaghi headed Gourcuff’s corner against the bar with an hour gone but the travelling supporters behind Grégory Malicki's goal found their voice as news of Anderlecht’s second goal filtered through - a collective voice became a roar when their side also took a two-goal lead on 67 minutes. The excellent Kader raced 40 metres with the ball, exchanged a one-two with Bodmer and delivered a cool finish with his right foot to put the win beyond doubt and a dramatic qualification within touching distance.
Festivities
On what proved to be the best night of European football in Lille's history, Cabaye even found the time to rattle a long shot off the bar before the festivities began.
http://www.uefa.com/Competitions/UCL/FixturesResults/Round=2357/match=1116409/report=RP.html