“We will do everything to get the qualification on these two confrontations”, LOSC president Olivier Létang assured Monday, December 13 on franceinfo, after the draw for the knockout stages of the Champions League, which saw the French champion Lille inherit the defending London champion Chelsea.
franceinfo: After the technical incident during the draw, the UEFA deputy secretary general apologized on franceinfo, but no question for him to go back on the rules of the draw. Do you regret it?
Olivier Létang: Everyone saw that there had been a technical problem. It seemed logical to me to redo this draw. UEFA is a professional organization, there was an honorable amendment, the draw was redone. Now we have to look ahead.
Did you hope not to fall back on the English club Chelsea, reigning European champion with this second draw?
I had a strong belief that we were going to play against Chelsea, even before the draw. In any case, when you are present for the draws of the knockout stages of the Champions League, you know that you are going to come across a big one, with great quality because they are the best teams in Europe. The opposition will be intense, it will be difficult. We will play against the defending champion. It’s a great poster. Chelsea are obviously the favorite, and we are the little thumb, but we will do everything to get the qualification on these two confrontations.
Is the exploit possible?
Yes of course. Once again Chelsea are the overwhelming favorites but if you think it’s impossible to win, there’s no point in moving. We are going to have our first trip to Stamford Bridge stadium, in London, in a great atmosphere. It will be necessary to prepare well. You know, there are dynamics that can be reversed between group stages and when playing knockout matches, two or three months later. The best way to prepare well is to achieve as many victories as possible and to win the matches that precede. We have this raffle which will be a great poster. We are very happy for our community, for the club, to welcome Chelsea. But for the moment we are putting it aside because we have an end of the year to negotiate, with the Coupe de France and league matches.