Garcia delighted to reach group stages

Lille coach Rudi Garcia has praised his team’s performance after they overcame Copenhagen to reach the Champions League group stages.

The French side lost the first leg of the tie 1-0 at the Parken Stadium, but forced extra-time with a Lucas Digne goal shortly before the interval in the return fixture on Wednesday.

Tulio de Melo then sent Lille’s fans into raptures with the winning goal just before half-time in extra time at the Grand Stade Lille Metropole.

“We must enjoy and congratulate the players because they were great,” Garcia told France Football.

“This is the game I was expecting. They were not overwhelmed by the challenge or pressure. We had wonderful fans, which helped us.

“This has given a new impetus to the team. We have proven ourselves very mature in our handling of the game. This proves that we have learned from our Champions League campaign last season,” he added.

Lille president Michel Seydoux was also keen to praise his team’s victory.

“This is a wonderful moment, our first victory in this wonderful stadium,” he said.

“This is one of the most beautiful emotions I have experienced as club president. We saw a beautiful game of football.”

Meanwhile, club captain Rio Mavuba said he was already looking forward to the draw for the Champions League group stage.

“I hope we will avoid Barcelona,” he said.

“We have run after the ball enough tonight. On the other hand, I would like to draw Chelsea so I could come across Eden Hazard. That would be nice.”