While several players are likely to leave the club this summer in the event of non-European qualification, RC Lens gave themselves a breath of fresh air by winning against Clermont this Saturday, thanks to a goal from Sotoca from the penalty spot (2′). The Lensois remained on a series of 4 matches without a victory.
The meeting quickly turned to the Lensois advantage. After 30 seconds of play, when he wanted to clear the ball in his area, Matsima hit the legs of El Aynaoui who had meanwhile arrived on the leather. Sotoca transformed the gift before seeing his team dominate the first act (1-0 2nd)
So many times, Franck Haise’s players had the opportunity to worsen the score! By Wahi with the flat foot (16th, 29th, 36th), with Fulgini rushing in front of the empty goal on a missed pass from Gastien (21st) or Sotoca, so the shot from 20 meters found the outside post of Diaw (38th) .
At the same pace, Lens hit the ground running again in the second half. Elye Wahi offered himself a story in 3 acts opposite Mory Diaw. The first from the 46th minute, where the goalkeeper deflected his shot right next to the goal. Then in the 65th minute, where Wahi’s new face-off ended at the feet of the Clermont goalkeeper. Then in the 71st minute, when Wahi this time attempted a hook on Diaw. In great form, Diaw dived perfectly at the attacker’s feet. During his exit in the 89th minute, Bollaert gave his attacker a rare bronca, which will not help the 21-year-old young man in the crisis of confidence he is going through.
With two goals logically refused (61st and 65th) Lens never took shelter and believed that the CF63 would equalize. First of all on an incredible error by Brice Samba, leaving his area without taking the ball. He let Kyei strike above the completely empty Lens cage (76th). The same Kyie who two minutes later failed to deceive Samba with a ball at the far post.
Mendy and Sotoca will have two new golden opportunities to close the debates but will remain powerless. Clermont remains last in Ligue 1 with 22 points. With this victory, Lens remains 6th in the standings, 1 point behind Nice (5th), which has a game in hand.