2023-10-24 22:53:17
RC Lens and PSV Eindhoven drew (1-1) on Tuesday evening at the Bollaert-Delelis stadium. The Sang et Or, long in difficulty, found the resources to equalize in a match generally dominated by the Dutch. With five points on the clock, the Lensois keep their chances of qualifying intact.
Published on: 10/24/2023 – 10:53 p.m.
5 mn
RC Lens gleaned a fifth point in the Champions League on Tuesday October 24 against PSV Eindhoven. The Lensois start in a classic 3-4-3 which has proven itself during their first two Champions League matches. PSV Eindhoven is aligned in 4-3-3 for the start of the match. During the first minutes, PSV assumed high and constant pressure which prevented the Lensois from getting the ball out. RC Lens still manages to sometimes get rid of the opposing pressure like this first good movement concluded by a cross from Frankowski finally intercepted by Benitez (5th).
In the process, the Sang et Or logically obtain a first opportunity. Sotoca is served in depth, then sends a tight cross into the opponent’s area. Machado is on reception at the far post with a flat foot that Benitez manages to deflect as best he can (8th). PSV does not create any danger, like its first corner easily captured by Samba (12th). RC Lens, for its part, narrowly misses several times (13th, 17th), but seems to be doing well in its match.
Lens is in good shape defensively but lacks bite during the start of the match, in front of a lively crowd who constantly support their team. PSV is even becoming more and more dominant in the game and is getting closer to the Lens surface. The Dutch even failed to open the score on their first real opportunity: Lozano attempted a curling shot which crashed into Samba’s post (27th). PSV has its foot on the ball (57% possession in the 35th minute), and the Lensois are subjected to the play of their evening opponent. Even the corner obtained by Sotoca does not manage to give enough air to the Sang et Or (38th).
RC Lens can only rely on set pieces to escape the Dutch grip: Wahi obtains an eccentric free kick more than 30 meters away, which Fulgini takes care of hitting. The latter finds Danso in the opposing penalty area, but the Lensois defender takes the ball with a high rebound… and the ball flies into the sky at the Bollaert stadium (42nd). Finally, it’s half-time at the Bollaert stadium with a rather logical 0-0 between RC Lens and PSV Eindhoven. The Dutch dominate and the Sang et Or suffer.
Wahi responds to Bakayoko
The 22 actors return to the field while the audience sings in unison the traditional “Les Corons” by Pierre Bachelet. PSV returned to the game with the same intentions as in the first half. The Dutch are in control of the game. Lozano even sends a shiver through the Lens defense, but Gradit comes back well to counter his shot and deflect it for a corner (50th). Then, Dest found Bakayoko who made a crushed volley easily caught by Samba (54th).
The danger is getting closer for RC Lens, and the threat that was hovering in the air materializes: Bakayoko is found on the right side at the entrance to the Lens area and fires a curling shot which lodges in the small opposite net of Samba (55th, 0-1). Unstoppable. Could this conceded goal sound the awakening of the Sang et Or? The Lensoise reaction is long overdue. She is initially shy, like in this cross from Wahi addressed to Fulgini. But the header is not dangerous (59th).
Shortly after, we witness a beautiful movement from Lens which reaches Frankowski. The latter crosses low to the ground and back for Wahi, who strikes instantly. But the ball passes narrowly above Benitez’s goal (60th). Lensois coach Frank Haise feels that his team needs fresh blood and decides to make a triple change on the hour mark (63rd). The Sang et Or seem to wake up slowly but surely since PSV’s goal. We feel that the equalizer is not far away, and what was supposed to happen happened: on a cross from Frankowski, Wahi volleyed the ball with an outside right foot at the near post (65th, 1-1).
RC Lens has been igniting the match for a few minutes, while PSV can no longer regain control of the ball. The Bollaert stadium, already hot, gives even more votes since its team’s equalizer. Wahi, exhausted scorer, gives way to Guilavogui (72nd). RC Lens is back in this meeting, but it puts itself in danger again due to this mistake by Medina in front of the Lens area… Veerman strikes subtly and the Lens wall narrowly deflects the ball for a corner (79th).
Before the last ten minutes of regulation time, the two teams seem to want to go for the 2-1, synonymous with three additional points. The Sang et Or do not disarm: Medina fires a shot at the entrance to the PSV area, but the ball narrowly escapes Benitez’s crossbar (82nd). During the last minutes, PSV sent several shivers through the Lens area (87th, 90th). But the Blood and Gold held on until the end of added time. In three matches, Lens remains undefeated before the return phase of the qualifying matches.
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