UEL: Giroud's woeful Lille crumble in Belgrade, Forest disappoint again

It was a disappointing night for the representatives of Europe's Big Five leagues, as OSC Lille lost and Nottingham Forest were held to a goalless draw in their respective UEFA Europa League ties.

Olivier Giroud's side were brought down to earth by Red Star Belgrade with a late penalty, which Marko Arnautovic converted for a vital victory for the Serbian team (1-0).

Despite several clear-cut chances, the Ligue 1 outfit couldn't find the back of the rival's net, losing for the second time in a row. Previously, they were defeated by PAOK Thessaloniki in a seven-goal thriller (4-3), dropping to 17th place on the table.

On the other hand, Sean Dyche's Nottingham Forest were unable to break Sturm Graz's defensive wall, registering their second draw in the opening four rounds, along with a defeat and a win (2-0 against Porto).

The Tricky Trees find themselves in 19th place, with decent chances to progress to the next round.

The only team from the top European leagues to clinch a victory on Thursday night was Celta Vigo (other games were just underway at the moment of writing this report). The Spaniards dismantled Dinamo Zagreb at their ground, 3-0, extending their three-game winning streak, which promises a successful UEL campaign for the La Liga side. Freiburg knocked down Nice 3-1 in the only game between the two clubs among those from the Big 5.

UEFA - EUROPA LEAGUE MATCHDAY 4

Thursday

Basel - FCSB 3-1 (1-0)

/Shaqiri 19 pen, 73, I. Salah 88 - Olaru 57/

Crvena Zvezda - Lille 1-0 (0-0)

/Arnautovic 85 pen/

Dinamo Zagreb - Celta 0-3 (0-3)

/Duran 3, 44, Dominguez 28 og/

Malmo - Panathinaikos 0-1 (0-0)

/Djuricic 85/

Midtjylland - Celtic 3-1 (3-0)

/Erlic 33, Gogorza 35, Dju 41 - Hatate 81 pen/

Nice - Freiburg 1-3 (1-3)

/Omoruyi 25 - Manzambi 29, Grifo 39 pen, Scherhant 42/

Salzburg - Go Ahead 2-0 (0-0)

/Vertessen 59, Terzic 80/

Sturm - Nottingham Forest 0-0

Utrecht - Porto 1-1 (0-0)

/Rodriguez 48 - Sainz 66/

Aston Villa - Maccabi T. A. IN PROGRESS

Betis - Olympique Lyon IN PROGRESS

Bologna - Brann IN PROGRESS

Braga - Genk IN PROGRESS

Ferencvaros - Ludogorets IN PROGRESS

PAOK - Young Boys IN PROGRESS

Plzen - Fenerbahce IN PROGRESS

Rangers - Roma IN PROGRESS

Stuttgart - Feyenoord IN PROGRESS