Racing Club de Lens will be the favorites in this confrontation against a team from Brest which has just lost at home against Lorient (0-1) and which will be deprived of two important players in its defense: captain Chardonnet expelled the weekend -end last and suspended this Saturday and the right side Pierre-Gabriel injured. Racing should align the standard team of the moment with Gradit in defense, Fofana in the middle and Kalimuendo in attack.
The statement: Don’t forget the first leg
Franck Haise does not fix the result of the first leg but he still plans to talk to his players for a few minutes: “The score in Brest was quite severe on the content, but it was a real slap. I think we’ll do a little reminder before the match. When we take a slap on the way out, we usually remember on the way back, or the same on a slap the previous weekend.
Player to watch: Jonathan Gradit
The Lensois defender should once again start the game. Back from injury last Sunday in Angers, Jonathan Gradit only missed 2 games against Bordeaux and Lyon. He injured his calf during the trip to Lorient on February 6. At 29, he will play his 80th L1 match this weekend, the 57th with Racing. The former Caennais is still waiting to score his first goal in the elite.
The stat: Extend the series?
Seko Fofana’s teammates will want to extend their series of 3 games without defeat (Bordeaux 3-2, Lyon 1-1 and Angers 2-1). These 7 points taken in 3 games allowed them to regain 6th place in the standings. They are, before this 27th day, only 3 points from the first team qualified for a European Cup thanks to the championship.
The composition France Bleu Nord: The same as in Angers?
Leca – Gradit Danso Medina – Clauss Fofana Doucouré Haïdara – Sotoca Kakuta – Kalimuendo