2023-04-22 10:27:35
Opposed to Monaco this Saturday evening, the Lensois club remains confident to clinch a place on the Ligue 1 podium.
Waited at the turn. Barely recovered from a big disappointment against PSG last Saturday, Lens is playing big in the race for Europe in the coming weeks. But the Sang et Or assure it, their confidenceis not reached“Before receiving Monaco, Saturday (9:00 p.m.) during the 32nd day of Ligue 1.
A week ago, the Artésiens dreamed of a victory against Paris SG, which would have brought them closer to three points from the capital club. Beaten 3-1 at the Parc des Princes, they find themselves 9 points behind the leader and, above all, have given up all hope of a title. Worse, Racing has grilled its “joker“Faced with his main opponents for the Champions League. Marseille went back in front and Monaco, 4th, came two lengths closer.
Already a more than successful season at RCL
The results of the Lensoise season, for the moment one of the most beautiful in the history of the club, will depend on the reception of Monaco, on Saturday, then that of Marseille, in two weeks. No time to dwell on the defeat in Paris. “Our trust is not damaged“, swept Florian Sotoca Thursday at a press conference. “We have been in the continuity of what we produced in the previous weeks. And, even at 10, we showed character, personality. We must use it, give ourselves more strength“, estimated the number 7 lensois.
This loss in numerical inferiority for 71 minutes after the exclusion of Salis Abdul Samed, even gives reasons to be positive to Florian Sotoca: “When you are feared by a team like Paris, that proves a lot of things…“The Lensois coach Franck Haise abounds in this direction:”The players felt that they were respected by PSG at 11 against 11. The start of the game was balanced, and we even had the best chance.»
Qualifying for the Champions League is not ‘a taboo’
For Lens, which has finished the last two seasons at the gates of Europe (twice 7th), the time is therefore not for demobilization. “I find that we are much more mature than in previous years, in our game and in our thinking“, believes Florian Sotoca. “We concede far fewer chances. We must keep this course».
If Europe is now in everyone’s mind, from players to supporters, the first named do not bother with apothecary accounts. “There are no taboos, but players don’t talk about Europe every five minutes“says Franck Haise. “For my part, I hardly ever talk about it. We are interested in playing our football every day, making our way, and doing the best we can.». «Do the best you can“Goes through good results against Monaco then Marseille, he admits half-heartedly: “It’s better to win them“. Before qualifying:If we win against Monaco and Marseille and we lose the other five… These two matches will not give the final color of the season».
These two shocks, Lens will have to play them without one of its key players, Salis Abdul Samed, suspended three matches after his expulsion in Paris. “Yes, it’s a blow“, concedes Franck Haise. “But we have to move on, which is to prepare the team without him».
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