Lille keen Slavia success

Ligue 1 side Lille coach Rudi Garcia has urged his side to go out and fight for victory as they attempt to get back to winning ways in their Europa League clash at Slavia Prague on Thursday.

The same story has played itself out in Lille’s past three games, where they have come back from going a goal behind to draw 1-1.

And Garcia hopes that with a bit more determination they can get all three points tomorrow.

“We have to first of all find again a fighting spirit in everyone,” he said. “As of now there is too much of a gap between those who have it and those who don’t have it at all: it’s condemnable.

“This is the first time this season that, yes, we can be worried. Sometimes it’s good to be worried.

“There may be more awareness. There are games to win. The sooner the better.

“We have had confidence since the beginning of the season. We had good performances. We knew that the only thing was that we were not scoring enough.

“Through a lack of fighting spirit from certain people, confidence has crumbled.

“It’s also hard to play big games in the Europa League and to have sufficient energy to do well in Ligue 1.

“We must draw lessons. We will not let the European cup fall.”

Garcia has a massive injury headache ahead of the game with Aurelien Chedjou, Tulio De Melo, Mickael Landreau, Florent Balmont and Ludovic Obraniak all out.

Slavia might not have as many injuries but they are still reeling from the blow that midfielder Jaroslav Cerny will be out for six months after damaging his cruciate ligaments at the weekend.

The Czech team, who were surprisingly knocked out the Champions League by FC Sheriff Tiraspol, received a shocking welcome to the Europa League group stages with a

2-0 defeat at Genoa a fortnight back.

And coach Karel Jarolim has urged his players to keep it tight if they are to pick up a vital three points.

“If we want revenge and a better outcome in the other group matches then we must be more efficient and calmer, especially in the final third,” he said.