The 2008-09 campaign delivered European football for Lille as Les Dogues surged to a spectacular 5th-place finish in Ligue 1, securing a coveted spot in the UEFA Europa League. Leading the charge was the sensational Brazilian left-winger Michel Bastos, whose 14 goals and league-leading nine assists proved decisive in a season built on attacking flair and his individual brilliance, which also earned him a Ligue 1 Player of the Year nomination.