Loss to Lille, outstanding Kinský concedes twice

Slavia fielded the same lineup that defeated Union SG in the second leg of the 3rd qualifying round in Brussels last week. Tomáš Holeš wore the captain's armband, Lukáš Masopust played his 200th competitive match for Slavia, and the attacking responsibilities fell to Schranz, Chorý, and Provod. The menthol-colored third kit for the season made its debut.

The first chance went to the home team, with Gudmundsson's angled shot in the 8th minute being well handled by Antonín Kinský. Meunier received a yellow card for a foul on Lukáš Provod, and Zafeiris's free kick found the head of Tomáš Chorý, but Chevalier gathered the ball from the air. Malick Diouf’s dangerous cross from the left nearly resulted in an own goal by Diakité, but Lille's goalkeeper made a save on the goal line.

After a layoff from Gudmundsson, David's first-time shot in the 28th minute went just over the crossbar. Kinský then made a sensational save on Zhegrova's breakaway, with David firing the rebound over the bar. Slavia's number one also denied another attempt by Zhegrova from outside the box and a shot from Gudmundsson. Near the end of the first half, Tomáš Chorý had a chance to score from a rebound following a cross from Zafeiris, but his half-volley missed the far post—a significant opportunity just before halftime. Kinský recorded four crucial saves in the first half!

The second half began with a powerful shot from Zafeiris, but Chevalier was ready. Holeš made an excellent sliding tackle to block Meunier's cross, and Chorý's header lacked power. In the 52nd minute, Lille took the lead with a deflected shot by David at the near post. Slavia was down to ten men at that moment, as Masopust was receiving treatment off the field; he was later replaced by Jan Bořil – 1:0.

In the 63rd minute, Ogbu and Diouf got the ball over the line after a long throw and subsequent scramble, but referee Marciniak disallowed the goal due to a handball. Oscar's shot was blocked, and Diouf headed away a dangerous cross at the last moment. Jindřich Trpišovský made three substitutions, bringing on Jurásek, Chytil, and Prebsl for Chorý, Schranz, and Zafeiris. In the 77th minute, Zhegrova broke through the middle and extended Lille's lead with a shot to the far post – 2:0.

Slavia responded immediately, but their second goal of the match, a header by Chytil, was also disallowed, this time for offside. In the final minutes, Slavia applied some pressure, with Matěj Jurásek finding himself in a promising position, but he couldn’t break through Lille’s solid defense. Jurásek also threatened with a free kick, but it sailed over the crossbar.

Nothing else happened in France, and Slavia now heads home with a two-goal deficit. They will try to overturn it next Wednesday in the return leg.