Lille travel to the Mestalla in the unfortunate position of needing all three points from Valencia. Losing at home to BATE Borisov is not the start that the Ligue 1 side would have envisioned for their UEFA Champions League campaign. But, frankly, it's the start they deserved. They were hammered 3-1 by the Belarusians, who don't really have a markedly inferior team. This isn't the same Lille that won the title two years ago, having been thoroughly gutted via the losses of their biggest players (mostly to the Premier League).
Valencia vs. Lille 2012, UEFA Champions League: Game time and TV schedule
Lille need points at the Mestella. Lille lost (badly) at home to BATE Borisov. Who sees this one going well?
Dean Mouhtaropoulos - Getty Images
Granted, it’s not the same Valencia either, but at least they haven’t done anything crazy like lose at home to BATE. Los Che are on zero points as well, but facing Bayern Munich at the Allianz isn’t something you expect any team to survive these days, and while they were comprehensively outplayed they only ended up losing 2-1. It’d be nice for the drama if Lille managed to get a result in Spain, but it’s unlikely to happen. Valencia are still a top side. The visitors, currently sitting in 15th place in Ligue 1, are not.
A loss here and Lille can kiss any hope of progressing in the Champions League goodbye. And, on the face of it, it doesn’t look like they’ll be returning to the group stages for a while either.
Valencia injuries and suspensions
Out: Sofiane Feghouli (suspended), Adil Rami (suspended), Ricardo Costa (calf).
Lille injuries and suspensions
Doubtful: Salomon Kalou (thigh), Marvin Martin (hamstring).
Date/Time: Tuesday, October 2nd. 8:45 p.m. CEST, 2:45 p.m. EDT.
Venue: Estadio de Mestalla, Valencia, Spain.
TV information: C+ Liga de Campeones / HD (Spain), beIN Sport 1 (France), Sky Sports Red Button (UK)
Watch online: Fox Soccer 2 Go (USA)
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