Lens winner against Strasbourg. PASCAL ROSSIGNOL / PANORAMIC
Thanks to its victory at home against Strasbourg, Lens is within three points of Paris Saint-Germain.
The essential is there for the men of Franck Haise. Lens could not be mistaken against Strasbourg in the opening match of the 30th day of Ligue 1. The Sang et Or won 1-0 against the Alsatians.
However, it is Strasbourg who are more enterprising at the start of the match. Frédéric Antonetti’s men hold the ball and play high, while the locals are content to wait. Paying strategy for the Lensois who will open the scoring from the 11th minute of play thanks to Przemyslaw Frankowski. The Pole is at the conclusion of a superb collective action, initiated by Angelo Fulgini and Adrien Thomasson. Strasbourg tries to govern but it is the Lensois who will prove to be the most dangerous. Matz Sels intervenes in quick succession in front of Adrien Thomasson and Loïs Openda (19th), then against Angelo Fulgini (24th), and again the Belgian striker (43rd). The Belgian goalkeeper keeps his team afloat, which showed a lot of clumsiness in this first act, especially during set pieces.
Strasbourg came back strong and attacked the second period like the first, but still struggled as much to get dangerous actions. After yet another stoppage by Matz Sels (62′), Facundo Medina allowed the Sang et Or to take a break in the game (64′). The Argentinian defender, who remained on the lookout near the surface, fired a superb strike with his left foot after a poorly returned ball. The Alsatians then take a blow on the head and the match gradually falls into a non-rhythm. Until… Kevin Gameiro. The French striker made his genius speak to restore hope to an entire people (84th). after a superb breakthrough from Gerzino Nyamsi, the former French international unleashes a sublime strike at the entrance to the penalty area. Opposite skylight. Unstoppable. Strasbourg regained hope and the end of the match became tense. Until added time. After an imbroglio in the Lensoise surface, the Alsatians shout at the penalty and rush on the referee who does not flinch. Visitors do not budge. Habib Diallo and an assistant of Frédéric Antonetti, too vehement, are excluded.
After a globally controlled match, Lens logically won against Strasbourg. A success that allows the Sang et Or to consolidate their third place and temporarily return to three points behind the leader. Paris Saint-Germain travel to Nice this Saturday (9 p.m.).