Lille coach Rudi Garcia has insisted that he has no problem with his side being dubbed underdogs to qualify through to the knockout stages of the Champions League this season.

Last time out the French club were made one of the favourites to progress through the group stages. However, Garcia's men could only muster a third-placed finish, which left them in the Europa League.

This time around they have been grouped with Bayern Munich, Valencia and BATE Borisov and as a result are not expected to win through - something that suits their coach.

"Last season, we were favourites in our Champions League group but ended up third," Garcia told reporters. "Now they say we are underdogs, and that is what we prefer.

"The press say we will end up third or fourth in the group. We will see if we can finish first or second. If we perform better at home than last year, then we can reach the knockout stage."

Lille begin their campaign this evening at home to BATE.