News & Events in Belarus

FC BATE battles past FC Lille in Champions League opener

MINSK, 20 September (BelTA) – BATE got its 2012-2013 Champions League campaign underway with a stunning 3:1 away win over FC Lille at Grand Stade Lille Metropole in Villeneuve-d'Ascq, France, on 19 September. This is the third Champions League in BATE’s club history, BelTA has learnt.

In an interview after the match BATE’s head coach Viktor Goncharenko named it a historic victory for his team.He noted that he is proud of his players who grabbed the first ever Champions League victory in BATE’s history. He also underscored that Lille are a very strong side. BATE head coach said one victory does not guarantee that the club will get out of group F in December. Only one match has been played and there are five games to go, Viktor Goncharenko noted. However, this success should be consolidated in the next matches. On 2 October BATE will continue their Champions League campaign with the game against Bayern Munchen at the Dinamo stadium, Minsk, Belarus. The German club outclassed Spain’s CF Valencia at home 2:1 in the Champions League opener on 19 September. Viktor Goncharenko said it is too early to think about the game against Bayern. Instead he noted that BATE should get ready for the Dinamo Minsk tie in the Belarusian Highest League on 23 September, which will be followed by the match against FC Neman, Grodno. After these two fixtures BATE will take on Bayern Munchen.

Lille’s head coach Rudi Garcia underscored that his players put in a poor performance, especially in the first half when Lille conceded three times. He also said BATE’s football was very efficient, their players won most of tackles and played on swift counters.

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