While Olivier Létang was angry with the referee, Lille was especially after themselves after the defeat conceded at home against PAOK (3-4) on Thursday in the Europa League.
Losc lost a great opportunity to take an option on direct qualification for the round of 16 of the Europa League. Winner of its first two matches in the competition, Lille hosted PAOK and could legitimately aim for a third consecutive victory like Olympique Lyonnais, winner of Bale (2-0) a little earlier in the evening.
Alas, Lille completely struggled in the first half and found themselves trailing 3-0 at the break. And despite a great reaction upon returning from the locker room, Bruno Genesio’s men ultimately lost 4-3, losing valuable points in the race for qualification.
Olivier Létang did not hide his anger at half-time. Anger towards the referee. “I have already written to Mr Ceferin (the UEFA president). What happened tonight is incredible”he said towards the official in images captured by Canal +.
Bruno Genesio blames himself
But at the end of the match, if Lille had it bad, it was mainly against themselves. “ When you have a first half like that, it’s too difficult, even if you manage to come back and win the match. It’s especially defensively, in the duels, we weren’t there. We weren’t together enough, it’s once again a problem of duels, of ambitions. When we defend like that, we are in danger against any team,” thus launched the northern captain at the microphone of Canal+.
Bruno Genesio, his trainer, was on the same line. “I don’t like the feeling of anger, it doesn’t do much good in these situations. Above all, I am disappointed and frustrated. I warned the players »he began, adding: “If I’m angry, it’s at me. In the composition, there are certainly things that did not work. And the one who makes the team composition is me. » And after talking about a first period
“overused” where his team has “forgotten certain values”, the former Lyonnais brought it back: “My choices were not good. That must be a good lesson for the future. »
