Lille begin Davide Ancelotti era with Angers victory as Giroud bids farewell to Bouaddi

Lille began life under new manager Davide Ancelotti with a 2-0 victory away at Angers on Sunday, while Olivier Giroud paid an emotional tribute to Morocco midfielder Ayoub Bouaddi before his expected move to Manchester City.

Bouaddi was not involved in the French league match. The young midfielder is scheduled to join Manchester City in the coming hours in a deal worth slightly more than 100m euros.

The 20-year-old was given a final opportunity to say goodbye to Lille supporters before leaving for England, although his transfer had not yet been formally completed at the time of Giroud’s comments.

Giroud assessed Lille’s performance after their important away win before turning his attention to his former team-mate. Speaking to Foot Mercato, the France striker said Lille had been determined to mark Ancelotti’s first match in charge with a positive result.

“We were determined to make a good start for the coach, and for the supporters too. They came in large numbers. As for Ayoub, we do not know what will happen.”

Giroud then suggested that Lille’s players would celebrate the victory with Bouaddi if his move went through, while acknowledging the significance of losing the talented midfielder.

“Personally, I am not aware of it (laughs), but if it happens, we will celebrate (the win) for him too… We will lose a wonderful young player, an outstanding player, but above all, a wonderful human being.”

The veteran forward concluded by highlighting the emotional nature of Bouaddi’s farewell inside the dressing room and offering his best wishes for the next stage of his career.

“His speech in the dressing room was very moving. We will miss him, and we wish him all the best.”

Lille’s victory over Angers therefore provided a strong opening result for Ancelotti, while also coming on a day dominated by the imminent departure of one of the club’s most highly valued young players.

Bouaddi did not take part in the match, but he remained central to the occasion because it represented his final farewell to the Lille supporters before the proposed move to Manchester City. The transfer is expected to be worth a little over 100m euros and is due to be completed during the hours following Sunday’s fixture.

For Lille, the result offered an encouraging beginning under Ancelotti. For Giroud and the rest of the squad, it also marked the final moments of Bouaddi’s time at the club, with Giroud stressing that the midfielder would be missed both for his footballing ability and his character.