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Claude Puel insists he has no regrets over his defensive tactics, despite his Lille side bowing out of the Champions’ League after scoring just one goal in six games.
Puel has fielded a solitary striker in every Group F game, and opted for a typically conservative 4-5-1 formation at Villarreal last night - a match Les Dogues had to win to keep their destiny in their own hands.
The plan looked like it may work as Lille denied their skilful opponents time on the ball in the first half, but they had no answer when Guayre opened the scoring from virtually the home side’s first chance on 66 minutes.
“The game was lost on small details,” Puel said. “The fact that we succeeded in closing them down high up the pitch was down to our compact formation.
“It would have been dangerous to play differently. My team carried out the game plan very well, but things just didn’t go our way over the course of the game.”
Lille certainly created more openings than Villarreal but, as has been the case throughout their campaign, they lacked composure in front of goal.
Peter Odemwingie (pictured) missed when he was played through at the start of the second half, while Viera produced a stunning save from Kevin Mirallas late on before Stéphane Dumont struck the crossbar.
The French side have nonetheless won many admirers with their gutsy performances, and have been rewarded with third spot in the group and UEFA Cup qualification - finishing notably above Manchester United.
“We’re really disappointed to be out after all the effort the players have made,” Puel continued. “We produced another good performance. We were very serious, but all that Villarreal needed was one chance to kill the game.”
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