'The idea was also to reward Chuba' - Lille coach explains why he started Akpom in win v Auxerre

Lille manager Bruno Genesio has clarified why he opted to include Super Eagles hopeful Chuba Akpom in the starting lineup for their Easter Sunday Ligue 1 fixture against Auxerre.

In their first attacking partnership since mid-February, Arsenal youth product Chuba Akpom and Jonathan David put on a strong display to help Lille claim a 3-1 triumph.

Before the visit of Auxerre, the duo had previously started together only once, in a match against Monaco, but the promising signs were enough to convince Genesio to revisit the experiment.

"The idea was to bring a little more offensive power with four players with an attacking profile," Genesio was quoted as saying by Le11.

"Lately, we've been lacking in efficiency in finishing our moves. I thought that maybe we should have four players with a slightly more offensive vocation."

Against Auxerre, Mitchel Bakker, predominantly a left-back, had been filling in on the wing, but made way for Akpom, a natural center-forward.

This move, Génésio explained, also aimed to ease the pressure on Jonathan David, who often finds himself isolated against tight central defenses.

"It was also to free Jonathan (David) up a bit from the very tight marking against a team that plays with three in the center," the Lille coach added. 

"When he's alone against three players, it's often difficult for him. The idea was also to reward Chuba for his good start in Toulouse and his commitment in training. 

"I thought it was a system that could annoy Auxerre, which worked."

Akpom has made five starts for Lille since joining the club on loan from Ajax Amsterdam in the winter transfer market and has two goals to his name. 

The 29-year-old is among the players being monitored by Super Eagles coach Eric Chelle ahead of this summer's Unity Cup in London.

Ifeanyi Emmanuel 

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