Lille secured a challenging 2-1 victory against Bologna in the Champions League, with Ngal’ayel Mukau playing a pivotal role. Mukau netted the first goal just before halftime, capitalising on a rebound after his initial attempt was blocked.
Bologna responded with Jhon Lucumi’s equaliser in the 63rd minute, marking their first goal in this season’s competition.
Despite Bologna’s efforts, Mukau struck again three minutes after their equaliser, restoring Lille’s lead. The home team couldn’t find another goal, even though their goalkeeper Lukasz Skorupski made several impressive saves to keep them competitive. This result left Lille with 10 points in the standings, while Bologna remained on one point after suffering their third consecutive defeat.
Bologna’s loss added to their disappointing run in the Champions League. They have now lost four consecutive matches in this campaign, becoming the first Italian team to endure such a streak in a single season. However, they avoided joining Galatasaray as the only teams to fail to score in their first five games of the competition.
Outside of knockout stages, Lille have been impressive in recent Champions League outings. They have suffered just one defeat in their last nine matches (W6D2), losing 2-0 against Sporting CP earlier this season. This strong form has helped them maintain a competitive edge in the tournament.
This victory highlights Lille’s resilience and ability to perform under pressure. Mukau’s contributions were crucial for securing this win and keeping Lille’s momentum going strong. Meanwhile, Bologna will need to regroup and address their ongoing challenges if they hope to improve their standing in future matches.