Hero of the feat against Arsenal, Elye Wahi did it again this Tuesday evening against PSV Eindhoven (1-1). According to a pattern already proven against the Londoners, on a cake from Frankowski (64th). Before his second goal of the European campaign, the former Montpellier had been a constant poison for the PSV rearguard, fully warned following his excesses sometimes in depth or on the side. Always available, he also becomes a team player. Enough to further justify his status as the most expensive recruit in the club’s history.
Diverse fortunes and contrary impacts for the two PSV wingers. Elusive from start to finish on the left side, Lozano put the Lens rearguard through an ordeal. Hyperactive on both sides of the field, like his return to Wahi in the second period (50th), the Mexican was also unlucky by rolling onto Samba’s post (27th). In a similar action, his Belgian partner, much less visible this Tuesday, iced Bollaert with a clear strike from the left (55th). Who was behind the action? The terrifying “Chucky” Lozano, obviously.
15 minutes against Sevilla, 11 minutes against Arsenal and 10 against PSV Eindhoven. Namely the period of time during which RC Lens was trailing in three C1 matches this season. A quite astonishing strength of character, even more so on the continental scene where… no player in Franck Haise’s squad had the slightest experience. But the Champions League remains separate, and the Artesian club, although struggling in the championship (15th), proves that it will never intend to give up. “Francky Time” or not, this group has resources and necessarily the qualities to see further. Especially when his coach, who wanted to replace Wahi a few minutes before the equalizing goal, changed his mind. “Sometimes we have good intuitions,” his coach will smile at the microphone of Canal.
FLOPS
Expected in different registers, the two eccentric attackers responded. But it was insufficient. Always so available and generous in the effort, Sotoca especially sinned in the last gesture. Apart from a center which deserved better for Machado (8th), the former amateur player will have messed up too many centers and lost a lot of balls (15). Its counterpart on the left, particularly useful in stopped phase, was not more useful. Overtaken in the duels, the former Angevin will only have one situation (header off target, 59th) before leaving on the hour mark, at the same time as the first city.
The glass is half full will invite the supporter or the informed follower to rejoice in the draw snatched by the RCL. At the other end of the spectrum, the manner leaves something to be desired. Inhabited by the event (return to C1, reception of Arsenal) three weeks earlier, the locals will have been significantly less euphoric this Tuesday. Anesthetized by the possession, often sterile, of the PSV, the Northerners will have sinned with an intermittency that is often crippling at this level. A possible qualification will require constant concentration. Especially when the Samba gang will evolve outside of its bases and will not be able to count on its precious twelfth man.
An international center forward, who recently played for Barça and Sevilla, the Dutchman is faithful to the portrait of midweek attackers. Enough to scare rising but inexperienced defensive players? The man of the match trophy awarded to Kevin Danso, the Austrian defender of Lens, proves that not. Constantly sought in the air, in pivot or on crosses, De Jong was perfectly muzzled by Danso and company, always vigilant against the slender attacker (1.88m), unable to find the target in 90 minutes spent on the meadow (2 shots off frame).
