This Saturday at 5 p.m., Lens (4e) receives Lille (6e) in a derby that can have an influence in the race for Europe.
When the North faces the Pas-de-Calais, it gives the Nord-Pas-de-Calais derby. This Saturday (5 p.m.), Lens faces Lille for a match that promises to be colorful. This season, with the influence of the two coaches Franck Haise for the Sang et Or and Paulo Fonseca for the Mastiffs, the two teams have the desire to impose their game. Between pressing and intensity, the level of the two clubs seems very close. This is reflected in the standings with a fourth place for Lens and a sixth for Lille. But during this derby, the difference is likely to be played out in the surface of Brice Samba and his teammates: Lens has the best defense in the championship, while Lille is the fourth best attack in Ligue 1.
Lens, solid in its empty passage
Long dolphin of PSG, Lens has been experiencing a period of trouble for more than a month. In the last eight games in all competitions, the Artésiens have only two victories. Today at the foot of the podium with 50 points, RC Lens was even eliminated from the Coupe de France against Nantes (2-1). “There are always moments a little less happy in a season. We have no doubts, especially given our game content. We have only lost three times, like Paris. Admittedly, it’s a slightly more complicated period in both surfaces, but we know what to work on. mentioned Brice Samba, goalkeeper of RC Lens at a press conference. Despite everything, the Sang et Or are not left behind in the league far from it. With the recent missteps of Marseille and Monaco, Lens, at the foot of the podium, is tied on points with the Monegasques (3e) and two points from OM (2e). Better, the men of Franck Haise can always count on their two major assets: their defense and their public. At the dawn of this 26e day of Ligue 1, the Lensois have the best defense in the championship with only 20 goals conceded. And at home, Seko Fofana and his teammates have won 11 of their last 12 receptions, with a series of ten consecutive victories, a Ligue 1 record in the 21st century.
Brice Samba against Montpellier (1-1). Norbert Scanella / PANORAMIC
Lille, the best 6th of the decade
After the defense, place on the attack. Opposite the fortress of Bollaert, the passion of LOSC. With 45 goals scored, Lille has the fourth best attack in the championship. Coach Paulo Foncesa is no stranger to this flattering statistic, as he has imposed his forward style of play, with players who are very comfortable technically. If the midfield, often composed of Benjamin André and André Gomes is very solid, accompanied by a brilliant Rémy Cabella, the real weapon of the Mastiffs remains Jonathan David. The Canadian, who should celebrate his hundredth match in the jersey of Lille during the derby, is the second top scorer in the championship with his 15 goals, already as many as the previous season. Another impressive stat is that the striker has only missed two Ligue 1 games since arriving in August 2020. The fearsome goalscorer is a strong contributor to his side’s form, which has 44 points in 25 outings, the best sixth since 2010. .
Jonathan David during Lille’s victory over Brest (2-1). LAURENT SANSON / PANORAMIC
In a derby that promises to be hotly contested, it is difficult to predict who will emerge victorious. “I think there is no favourite. They are two very good teams playing at the top of the table. People are happy with this rivalry at this level. Both teams will fight to win. I hear some people caricaturing the opposition sociologically. It’s good, it’s the salt of a derby, the excitement that accompanies this kind of meeting. declared Benjamin André, captain of LOSC in a pre-match press conference. Definitely the best way to describe this encounter.