Gygax relieved at Lille success
Wednesday, October 18, 2006
Article summary
Goalscorer Daniel Gygax said LOSC Lille Métropole were "pretty shaken" by an equaliser before completing their 3-1 home win against AEK Athens FC.
Article body
LOSC Lille Métropole goalscorer Daniel Gygax admits he and his team-mates allowed doubts to creep in before completing their 3-1 win at home against UEFA Champions League Group H rivals AEK Athens FC.
All-important strike
The Swiss international came off the bench to score the French side's all-important second strike with eight minutes left before Jean II Makoun increased their advantage in added time. It had looked as if it was not to be Lille's day when Vladimir Ivić levelled the scores at 1-1, just moments after Mathieu Robail had put the hosts ahead. "We were pretty shaken when they scored," Gygax said. "At 1-0, it was looking perfect, but immediately after their goal it became difficult for us. We only doubted for a minute, though, and got ourselves right back in the match."
'We've taken a big step'
Given Lille's difficulty in finding the net, those fears were perhaps justified. Claude Puel's men boasted a mere two goals from their eight previous encounters at this level, but their late flurry took them three points clear of third-placed RSC Anderlecht and leaves them in a good position to earn a first qualification for the knockout stage. As Gygax explained: "Tonight was important and I think we've taken a big step towards our goal. When you have [AC] Milan in your group, you really need to beat teams like AEK and we did that. But our match at home against Anderlecht [on Matchday 5] will also be crucial."
'Intimidating atmosphere'
Before playing host to the Belgian champions, Lille travel to tonight's opponents on 1 November, and Gygax is expecting an intense reception in the Greek capital. "It'll be hard over there," he said. "I've played there with my national team and it was a really intimidating atmosphere. That's the way it always is in Greece, plus AEK are a very good side. They caused us a lot of problems this evening, especially at the start of the second half." Having swallowed their fears once already, though, Gygax and his team-mates will surely believe in their chances.
