Lille Ends Real Madrid's Unbeaten Run with 1-0 Victory in Champions League Stunner

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02/10/2024 21h59

**Lille Stuns Real Madrid with a Decisive 1-0 Victory, Ending Their Unbeaten Run**

Lille celebrated a remarkable win on Wednesday night, defeating Real Madrid 1-0 and halting the reigning European champions' 14-game unbeaten streak in the Champions League. Under the guidance of coach Bruno Genesio, Lille executed a fearless strategy and maintained relentless pressure throughout the match. The solitary goal came from a penalty, scored by Jonathan David in first-half stoppage time, which ultimately secured the historic victory.

Coach Bruno Genesio praised his squad's incredible performance, attributing their success to strategic planning and the players' belief in the game plan. "What this team did is incredible. We try to put things in place but you need the players to believe in the plan for this kind of upset to happen," Genesio stated. He acknowledged that perfect execution, timely saves by the keeper, and a touch of luck were key components of their triumph.

Goalkeeper Lucas Chevalier played a crucial role, making several spectacular saves to thwart Real Madrid's attempts, especially when the visitors finally managed to apply significant pressure. Lille displayed exceptional unity and superiority in the first half, outplaying a rather subdued Real Madrid side.

Reflecting on the preparation, Genesio mentioned that the team had studied Real Madrid's recent 1-1 draw with Atletico Madrid in LaLiga. "We used this game to prepare. We saw that Real like to cut inside so we put intensity in that sector even if we had to abandon possession sometimes," he explained. He further highlighted the importance of pressing at the right moments and acknowledged the team's struggle in the final 25-30 minutes when Chevalier's saves were vital.

On the other side, Real Madrid's coach, Carlo Ancelotti, expressed a sense of learning from the setback. Despite their previous unbeaten streak, Ancelotti saw the defeat as an opportunity for growth. "It seemed like we were improving and today we took a step back," the Italian remarked. He recalled a similar situation following a loss to Atletico in January, hoping for another phase of positive change post-defeat.

Overall, it was a night of jubilation for Lille and a moment of reflection for Real Madrid, as a meticulously planned strategy and cohesive team effort led to one of the most notable upsets in recent Champions League history.

The views expressed in this article do not reflect the opinion of ICARO, or any of its affiliates.

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