“The first four places are not for us,” said France Haise, coach of Lens, who conceded a 1-1 draw against Le Havre on the 28th day, on Saturday.
RC Lens is no longer progressing, or too slowly to hope to enjoy a second consecutive year in the Champions League according to the Lens coach. Having shared the points against Le Havre, Racing was unable to respond to LOSC (3rd), winner of OM the day before (3-1).
Now fifth, tied with Nice which plays on Sunday, the Sang et Or are six lengths behind 4th Monaco, which must host Rennes. Worse, recent Lens performances do not allow Franck Haise to hope to return.
“I think we have to be clear-minded about the Champions League, both about what we are capable of doing, and what the top four teams are capable of. They do better than us. We have to be lucid enough to recognize that the first four places are not for us,” admits the technician. Racing has never entered this famous top 4 of the season, and should, barring a turnaround, be content with fifth place at best, synonymous with the Europa League. “We are also paying for our start to the season,” underlines Haise.
The mining club, however, retains the ambition to be European by the end of May. “We have to fight to get a place in the European Cup,” hopes Haise. Its attacker, Florian Sotoca, does not intend to give up: “We have a great objective between now and the end of the season, namely to keep this 5th, 6th place. Today, we are simply in our place.”
