MADRID (WS News) – Lille’s Jonathan David scored twice as the French side stunned hosts Atletico Madrid with a 3-1 comeback Champions League win on Wednesday to make it two wins from their last two matches while piling more pressure on the struggling Spanish team.
Lille, who have their keeper and man-of-the-match Lucas Chevalier to thank for the win, have now beaten their second Madrid team in consecutive matchdays after also stunning holders Real Madrid 1-0 earlier in October.
The win moved Lille to six points, while Atletico are on three with just one win from their three games so far.
“We had a complicated start because we conceded a goal that was avoidable,” said Lille coach Bruno Genesio.
“In the last 15 minutes of the first half we felt we had renewed energy. We had a chance to level just before the break and I was confident we would not concede a second goal and that we would have opportunities to draw level.”
“All my players were very decisive,” he said. “We have taken a step towards qualification, because between nine and 10 points, we can dream of progressing to the round of 16.”
His team found themselves on the back foot at the start as the Spaniards went in search of an early goal.
They got it in the eighth minute with Julian Alvarez intercepting a weak back pass from Lille defender Ousmane Toure and slotting in to give them the lead.
There was more bad news for Lille when they had to take off injured midfielder Remy Cabella in the 16th minute, bringing in Edon Zhegrova.
Atletico had only themselves to blame for not going into the break with a far bigger advantage or even killing off the game, with Alexander Sorloth wasting three golden scoring opportunities in the first half after being denied by Chevalier.
“We had a great first half, but we lacked efficiency after creating many scoring opportunities,” Alvarez said. “In the Champions League, if you don’t score the chances you have, you pay for it, because all the rivals are very good.”
Lille’s best chance in the first half came only in stoppage time with Zhegrova firing over the bar but the introduction of the Kosovo international would later prove crucial.
Zhegrova whipped in a superb left-footed shot into the top far corner in the 61st to draw the visitors level.
Atletico almost bounced back instantly when Antoine Griezmann found himself unmarked in front of goal but his volley flew well over the bar.
Instead it was the French side who scored again to seal their comeback courtesy of a 74th-minute penalty by David, who had also scored the winner against Real.
With Chevalier pulling off another superb save to keep them in the lead late in the game, Canada international David sealed their win with his second goal of the evening as his deflected effort found the net in the 89th minute.
