All that for this ? Of course, there will remain emotions that cannot be described, especially after the prestigious victory against Arsenal at the Félix-Bollaert stadium on October 3 (2-1). But since then, RC Lens has come back down to earth. The slap he received in London on the Gunners pitch two weeks ago (6-0) reminded him of the world of difference that exists between the blood and gold squad, at the moment, and those of the big names of the Old Continent. Before the 6th and final day of the group stage of the Champions League, Lens is perhaps playing bigger than it seems.
The Artesian club is 3rd in group B with 5 points, three ahead of Sevilla FC. A draw against the Andalusians this Tuesday (6:45 p.m.) would be enough for Lensois to be transferred to the Europa League. And above all, don’t denigrate the C3 in front of Franck Haise. “It’s not a consolation prize,” brandished the coach of the northern team at a press conference on Monday. “We must not forget where we come from, everyone, the club too,” judged Haise, “very happy” that Lens retains hope of experiencing a European spring.
Returned to Ligue 1 in 2020, notably thanks to Covid-19 which prematurely ended the current sporting competitions, Lens was not scheduled to finish a small point behind PSG, crowned champion of France last May. “This is beyond anything we could have predicted,” Haise marveled at the time. He, like the whole of Racing, has since digested their new status as best they can.
A disastrous start, the worst in the club’s history in L1 (1 point after five matches), has been erased. Lens is undefeated in ten matches in the league to move up to 7th place in the standings. Haise has never deviated from his formula. His team is always playful, in a well-established 3-4-3. She will remain herself against Sevilla, even if a draw would be enough. “We will play this match to win it,” Haise promised. I want my players to develop with confidence, to take the initiative.
However, there is no question of Elye Wahi and his teammates falling into naivety. “If we have to go 0-0, we will go 0-0,” Haise clarified. Even if we are not a team in management, we know how to be pragmatic when necessary. To win matches, you have to know how to be pragmatic on a regular basis.” Lens has learned to be. It is necessary when the domination does not materialize, as was the case last Friday in Montpellier (0-0).
The French vice-champion is also aware that he will host a team plagued by doubt. Championship and Champions League combined, Sevilla has not won since September 26 against the red lantern of Liga, Almeria (5-1). The Andalusians only owe their salvation to two victories in the Copa del Rey against 4th division clubs.
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They could well see themselves playing a bad trick in Lens to reconnect with the Europa League, of which they are the title holders and specialists on a historical scale (7 coronations, a record, including the first in 2006). Given its recent form, winning at Lens would be a small feat for Sevilla, who will be deprived of Lucas Ocampos, suspended, and many injured (Jesus Navas, Loïc Badé, Tanguy Kouassi, Marcos Acuña, Fernando, Suso, Erik Lamela, Mariano Diaz …).
Appointed on October 10 to redress the situation, coach Diego Alonso (48) could already be sacked in the event of disappointment in the north of France, according to the Sevillian press. Lens’ Argentine defender, Facundo Medina, has friends on the opposing team. But “on the ground, there are no friends,” he warned. The opportunity is perfect to prove that Lens is not a shooting star of French football. And carry its colors high, very high in the slightly clearer sky that is the Europa League.