Giroud on the bench as Ueda and Perrin start Lille-Betis

Lille begin their UEFA Champions League campaign this Tuesday against Real Betis and do it with notable selections in the starting XI. According to L'Équipe, Olivier Giroud starts on the bench, while Ayase Ueda and Gaëtan Perrin are named in the starting line-up for the 21:00 kick-off.

Ueda leads from the start

The Lille coach, Davide Ancelotti, doubles down on Ueda’s momentum. L'Équipe reports that the Japanese forward will be the main attacking option after scoring on his first appearance for Lille last Thursday at Toulouse (1-0). With this call, Ueda becomes the centerpiece of Lille’s push to find an early edge.

The night also carries extra significance for Giroud: the striker, who will turn 40 on September 30, is yet to play a Champions League match with a French club, so he’ll have to wait a little longer for that debut.

Perrin supports the attack

The other talking point is the decision to start Gaëtan Perrin. As L'Équipe explains, he is expected to play in a support role behind Ueda, which tweaks the attacking structure: Hakon Haraldsson is set to slide to the left side of Lille’s forward line.

In short, Ancelotti’s plan for Lille’s European opener blends immediate attacking intent with a fresh shape: Ueda and Perrin come in from the off, Giroud misses the opening whistle, and Lille look to start their continental campaign with impact.