Christophe Galtier, Lille coach -

AFP

  • The Lille coach has defended other French clubs in difficulty this season in the European Cup.

  • Based on the example of his club which struggled last year in the Champions League before shining this season in the Europa League, Christophe Galtier described the difference in level between the two competitions.

Leader of his group H and undefeated since the start of the season in the Europa League, Losc is a French anomaly in the European Cup.

When Rennes and especially Marseille sink in the Champions League, when Paris wins but suffers as never before, when Nice struggles in the Europa League, the northern club is somewhat the only one in France to keep its head up.

Held in check Thursday at home by AC Milan (1-1), Lille will qualify for the round of 16 of the competition if they win against Sparta Prague next Thursday at the Pierre Mauroy stadium.

No other French formation is so close to the European spring.

But do not count on Christophe Galtier to sink the head of his counterparts in the Champions League underwater.

"There is nothing to gargle about what we are doing in the Europa League"

“The other French teams are in the Champions League.

And last year, we suffered there by taking only one point in six games.

It's a different competition and much, much more difficult than the Europa League.

It's difficult for Marseille, it's difficult for Rennes but the Champion's League is another level.

There is nothing to gargle about what we are doing in the Europa League, ”said the northerner coach.

Even if the experience accumulated last year in the Champions League necessarily helps the northern club this season in its European campaign.

Led to the score at home by Celtic (2-2) then against AC Milan (1-1), Lille came back each time to score.

Proof that high-level learning always doesn't pay off.

"When you are led and you don't lose, it shows a certain mental and collective strength", recognizes Galtier.

“We have learned to be solid and to have a compact team unit,” adds Lille captain José Fonte.

Qualities that Lille hopes to be able to display from next season in the Champions League.

History to show that he paid to learn.

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