Lille hope lightning strikes twice

They may fit the bill as the competition's rank outsiders, but LOSC Lille Métropole believe they can spring another upset on visitors Manchester United FC when the UEFA Champions League resumes on Tuesday.

No inferiority complex
The unfashionable French outfit stunned the two-time winners with a 1-0 victory at the Stade de France last term, and coach Claude Puel sees no reason why they should approach this week's first knockout round first leg in Lens with an inferiority complex. "When you compare the two teams, of course there's a big difference," he said. "But in a two-legged tie, you're always going to have a chance and we know we'll get opportunities. It would be great to go into the second match with a lead, yet even if we don't we hope to be in a position to finish the job over there."

Home form
Lille have certainly looked a stronger force on the European front this season, having scored eight goals so far compared to just one in 2005/06. They also remain unbeaten at home in nine UEFA Champions League encounters, but a domestic run of four games without success could be a cause for concern. Third in Ligue 1, they find themselves 18 points behind Olympique Lyonnais after the leaders conjured two late goals to beat Puel's men 2-1 on Friday.

'Different competition'
"I'm not worried because this is a different competition," said the 45-year-old. "Champions League matches are more about technique and we just have to repeat what we did in the group stage." One area where the Group H runners-up will have to innovate, though, is on the right flank, where the suspended Kader Keita created so much danger before Christmas. "The thing about this team is that nobody is irreplaceable," insisted Puel. "We've already shown with our turnover this season that we can win no matter who is missing. We'll cope without him."

Rude health
Otherwise, Puel can count on a full squad, which should mean Mathieu Debuchy replacing Keita, new signing Ludovic Obraniak beginning on the left, and Peter Odemwingie taking over as the lone striker. The visitors are in even ruder health, with goalkeeper Edwin van der Sar back after breaking his nose, and Rio Ferdinand, Gary Neville, Ryan Giggs and Wayne Rooney all fresh after sitting out Saturday's 1-1 FA Cup draw at home to Reading FC. "It's possibly the first time we've had everyone fit in Europe and that's a real blessing," said manager Sir Alex Ferguson.

Larsson impact
Given that the Premiership pacesetters have won just once in their last eleven trips abroad, the veteran Scot will doubtless be hoping a revitalised Rooney can notch his first goal at this level since September 2004. The England forward ought to be partnered by Henrik Larsson, with the 35-year-old Swede making his first appearance in the tournament since last May's final with FC Barcelona, although four-goal Louis Saha may get the nod. "The team has grown together this year and we have shown consistency," said Sir Alex. "Lille look a better team as well, but we have that desire to win this competition again."

Probable teams
Lille: Tony Sylva; Matthieu Chalmé, Efstathios Tavlaridis, Nicolas Plestan, Grégory Tafforeau; Yohan Cabaye, Jean II Makoun; Mathieu Debuchy, Mathieu Bodmer, Ludovic Obraniak; Peter Odemwingie.

Manchester United: Edwin van der Sar; Gary Neville, Rio Ferdinand, Nemanja Vidić, Patrice Evra; Cristiano Ronaldo, Michael Carrick, Paul Scholes, Ryan Giggs; Henrik Larsson, Wayne Rooney.