Lille played to perfection: Garcia

Lille coach Rudi Garcia was proud of his side after they dispatched Gent 3-0 in a must-win game to secure Europa League progression.

Third in Group C and one point behind Gent going into Thursday’s clash, goals from Ludovic Obraniak, Pierre-Alain Frau and Moussa Sow secured a comprehensive win for the hosts at the Stade Lille Metropole.

After booking their place in the last 32, Garcia praised his players for executing their game plan to perfection.

“We knew we had to win. There was no choice,” Gracia said.

“We wanted to put their defence under pressure with our speed and technique. We decided to cut their long-ball game at the source and that is what we did. Everyone played a part.”

“We controlled the game from start to finish, waited for our chances and then took it. This is our most successful game in the group stage.”

After seeing his side well beaten to narrowly miss out on the knock-out stages, Gent coach Franck Dury admitted Lille fully deserved to win.

“Sometimes it’s hard to accept that the opponent was better,” Dury said.

“But Lille tonight was simply stronger. The score could certainly have been higher. With a little luck we might have held out until the 60th or 70th minute play. Then they might have been nervous. ”

“We can look back proudly on our European campaign. At home we delivered strong performances against Lisbon, Sofia and Lille. But Lisbon and Lille were just too strong.”

“They have learned playing at a Champions League level. Put Lille in the Belgian league and they would take first place.”