Soccer-Lille hold firm to earn 1-1 draw with Juve
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LILLE, France, Nov 5 (Reuters) -Lille kept their composure to hold visitorsJuventus to a 1-1 draw on Tuesday as the French side maintained their solid form in the group phase of the Champions League.
Jonathan David's first-half opener for Lille was cancelled out by Dusan Vlahovic's penalty after the interval with both sides now on seven points from four games.
Bruno Genesio's team, who beat Real and Atletico Madrid in their two previous outings, were under pressure throughout but another scintillating performance by keeper Lucas Chevalier helped them secure a point.
Juve next travel to Aston Villa before hosting Manchester City while Lille's schedule gets easier on paper as they face Bologna away and entertain Sturm Graz.
While Lille were happy with the result, Juve coach Thiago Motta had regrets.
"I'm happy with the players but I cannot be happy with the result, we deserved more than a draw," Motta said, although he praised the hosts' performance.
"We faced a team who were well organised, defended very well and who were ready to hurt us on the break."
Lille's David described it as a tough game and "not a bad result" but his teammate Chevalier was more forthright.
"Let's not lie to ourselves, we did not deserve to win so it's a good result," said the Lille keeper.
Lille were happy to cede possession but defended aggressively and Juve took few risks in the opening stages.
The visitors thought they had an opener in the 24th minute but Teun Koopmeiners' effort was disallowed after Vlahovic was ruled to be offside in the build-up.
Genesio's side converted their first clear chance three minutes later as David slotted the ball home at the end of a swift counter-attack after being set up by Edon Zhegrova's defence-splitting pass.
Ten minutes before the break, Chevalier, who has been in superb form this season, made a sensational save to deny Vlahovic, whose half-volley on the turn was heading towards the top corner.
Koopmeiners had another effort disallowed in the 42nd minute as Kenan Yildiz was adjudged to be in an offside position before his cross found the Dutch midfielder.
Juve upped the pressure in the second half but Chevalier pulled off two decisive saves in a matter of seconds to keep his team ahead.
There was nothing the Lille keeper could do, however, when Vlahovic took a penalty on the hour after Benjamin Andre had brought down Francisco Conceicao.
Zhegrova continued to be a thorn for the Juve defence, forcing Michele Di Gregorio into a good save in the 79th as Lille looked to capitalise on their limited chances.
Writing by Julien Pretot; Editing by Toby Davis
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