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Muller hails maiden victory

Coach Joël Muller believes winning their first game marks a major milestone for RC Lens.

Coach Joël Muller said that winning their first UEFA Champions League game marked a major milestone for RC Lens.

Sumptuous display
A sumptuous display of attacking football in the second half saw Muller's side turn their fortunes in this competition around, as they turned a 1-0 deficit into a 3-1 victory over RC Deportivo La Coruña.

'The next goal'
The coach was delighted to report that in winning against Deportivo, Lens had made the first of their European dreams come true. "Our first goal in the Champions League was to win a match," he said. "The next goal is to win a second match."

Against the odds
Having seemed destined for an early exit from the competition earlier in the evening, second-half goals from Adama Coulibaly, Daniel Moreira and Olivier Thomert saw Lens move up to third place in the Group G table. With four points from four games, their chances of a place in the second group stage are alive again.

Initial struggles
With their opponents having resolved to defend in depth and try to extend their lead on the break after taking a 15th-minute lead with a fine goal by Dutch striker Roy Makaay, Lens initially struggled to cause their opponents problems.

Tactical change
However, Muller's decision to deploy giant striker John Utaka as a conventional centre forward in the second half turned the game on its head and Deportivo could not moderate their tactics in time to save the game.

Difficult game
"It was very difficult for my team because Deportivo were very strong phsically and very strong with the overall organisation of the team," said Muller. "I asked my players to play much more offensive football and it was difficult for us before we equalised.

Muller delight
"After that it was very easy for us and it was the first time this season we have scored three goals," he added, clearly delighted with his side's performance.

Warmuz pleased
Lens goalkeeper and team captain Guillaume Warmuz echoed his coach's comments, saying: "The start of the game was very bad for lens but after we equalised, we put pressure on the Deportivo defence because they are not the most physically imposing side."

Disappointment for Deportivo
FC Bayern München's 2-1 defeat at AC Milan in the night's other Group G game would have left Deportivo with a guaranteed place in the second group stage had they won at the Félix-Bollaert stadium, but after letting their lead slip, they now have to win against either Milan or Bayern to ensure a place in the next round.

Irureta bewildered
Coach Javier Irureta was certainly extremely annoyed about the manner of his side's defeat and was bewildered that Deportivo, who had played with such confidence for long spells of the game, caved in so abjectly at the end. "We had control of the match for one hour but after that Lens came back and we were not able to find an answer," he said. "Lens were very aggressive - much more aggressive than us."

Destiny calling
Deportivo will have to recover their composure for a meeting with Bayern on Matchday Five at the Riazor stadium. A win would end the German side's hopes of progressing in the competition, and would leave Lens needing a win at home against Milan on the same night to ensure their survival.

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