Shakhtar numbed by Lille rearguard

LOSC Lille Métropole held on to their precarious 3-2 first-leg advantage to book a place in the last 16 of the UEFA Cup with a hard-fought goalless draw against FC Shakhtar Donetsk in freezing conditions in Ukraine.

In the balance
Seemingly cruising as the game approached the final whistle, Claude Puel's side's hopes hung in the balance after Shakhtar pulled two last-gasp goals back at the Villeneuve d'Ascq last week. But the Ukrainian team could not continue that momentum on home soil as Lille kept them at bay, displaying the sort of spirit their coach has suggested could see them "go a long way" in the competition.

Woodwork intervenes
Andrei Vorobey came closest to breaking the French side's resolve, striking the upright after reacting to a loose ball following Blumer Elano's dangerous corner. Brazilian playmaker Blumer provided a timely boost as he passed a late fitness test to take his place in the side but it was Lille who started the match on the front foot, and Geoffrey Dernis twice provided nervous moments for Bohdan Shust within the first three minutes.

Lichtsteiner denied
Brandão headed just wide at the other end on 12 minutes but the game became fractious thereafter, with both sides struggling to come to terms with the uneven surface at the Regional Sports Complex. The teams therefore resorted to high balls, and Lille almost profited just before the half-hour mark when defender Stephan Lichtsteiner headed against the post.

Late hope
Again Shakhtar rallied, as Ciprian Marica forced a save from goalkeeper Tony Sylva two minutes later and after half-time only poor finishing from Matuzalem prevented the home side scoring the goal they most coveted. The Brazilian blazed over the crossbar later in the half, while Vorobey saw his shot come back off the post, but Shakhtar could not find the net as Lille hung on.