Lille take control against Slavia in Champions League play-offs

By AFP
August 22, 2024
Reims Ivorian forward Oumar Diakite (C) fights for the ball with Lilles Canadian forward Jonathan David during the French L1 football match between Stade de Reims and Lille LOSC at the Stade Auguste-Delaune in Reims, northern France, on August 17, 2024. — AFP
Reims' Ivorian forward Oumar Diakite (C) fights for the ball with Lille's Canadian forward Jonathan David during the French L1 football match between Stade de Reims and Lille LOSC at the Stade Auguste-Delaune in Reims, northern France, on August 17, 2024. — AFP

PARIS: Jonathan David and Edon Zhegrova goals earned Lille a 2-0 advantage over Slavia Prague in the first leg of their Champions League play-off tie on Tuesday.

Canada international David stroked home the opener on 52 minutes before a touch of magic from Zhegrova saw the Kosovo winger double the lead for the hosts. Former Manchester United midfielder Angel Gomes watched from the stands after being hospitalised at the weekend following a sickening collision in Lille’s opening Ligue 1 win over Reims that knocked him unconscious.

Dinamo Zagreb are well positioned to reach the revised 36-team league phase of the competition after a 3-0 home win over Qarabag of Azerbaijan. Substitute Sandro Kulenovic scored a late brace after Marko Pjaca had put Dinamo ahead.

Norwegian champions Bodo/Glimt hold a 2-1 lead over Red Star Belgrade going into next week’s return fixture. Odin Bjortuft and Isak Dybvik Maatta struck for the home side before Ognjen Mimovic pulled one back for Red Star.