despite a downturn, everything smiles in Lens, qualified for the Europa League

The Lensois validated their place in the Europa League on Tuesday, beating Sevilla with success (2-1) and although they have been showing signs of fatigue for several weeks.

On the lawn of the Bollaert-Delelis stadium, after the victory against Sevilla FC (2-1), Tuesday December 12, the RC Lens players did not shy away from their pleasure. No, the European adventure is not over for them this season. After being eliminated from the Champions League on the 5th day, the Sang et Or secured their place in the Europa League thanks to this success against the Andalusians on Tuesday evening. The content once again left something to be desired, but the Lensois were able to count on a bit of success, as they have several times in recent weeks.

No question, therefore, of spoiling the party and darkening the picture. In the locker room, after the match, Franck Haise, the Lensois coach, encouraged his players to enjoy the moment and their evening. “We are happy, we are not going to be choosy in all honesty. But thank God, this evening, it went well and we were able to offer that to the people of Lens.”echoed Brice Samba, the captain of Sang et Or, at the microphone of Canal+.

The joy is equal to the accomplishment, because the Lensois have come a long way. Runners-up to Paris Saint-Germain last year in Ligue 1, they started their season with four defeats and a draw in five league matches. At the start of the group stage, even the Artesian supporters would not have imagined their team taking eight points – a total which often allows them to qualify for the round of 16 – in a group B which included Arsenal, PSV Eindhoven and Sevilla FC.

The club grew thanks to its return to C1

“This assessment gives us room to continue to grow. We go out with our heads held high. The results, of course, are not perfect, but I am proud of it“, savored Franck Haise after the match. Thanks to its victory against Sevilla, Lens will play its first European Cup final phase since the 2006-2007 season in the UEFA Cup. “We have all grown up. We had almost no experience in the Champions League. (…) The club, in its organization, in its infrastructure, has evolved thanks to this transition“, assured the coach.

“We must not forget that four years ago, we were in Ligue 2. What is happening to us is exceptional and I hope that it will continue as long as possible“, enthused Florian Sotoca on Canal+. It’s a whole club that has benefited from this experience in C1 and the Sang et Or are already dreaming of an epic in the European Cup in the spring, when they will know their opponent in the play-offs of the knockout phase of the Europa League next December 18.

“We now hope to have a good run in the Europa League. We don’t deny ourselves anything, we know that we are capable of anything.”, explained Florian Sotoca. But to go further in the competition, the Lensois will have to get back on their feet. Certainly, Franck Haise’s players have been undefeated for ten games in Ligue 1 and have managed to move up to 7th place, four points from 4th place.

But the Sang et Or suffered a real slap in the face at Arsenal on November 29 (0-6) and it is still felt. They have gone three games without losing since, but each time showing themselves far from their best level. Very far from the one that allowed them to qualify for the Champions League last season. Like the match against Sevilla on Tuesday evening, the Lensois won against Lyon on December 2 (3-2) with great success.

“Life is beautiful”

In Montpellier last Friday (0-0), the Sang et Or were also very messy and could have lost without a great Brice Samba. “We were not good, we are far from doing what we are capable of doing and giving in many aspects”, judged Franck Haise after this draw. The Lensois are more of the type to see the glass half full and we will therefore remember that this team still has significant room for improvement.

The end of 2023 – during which Lens will have returned to the Champions League for the first time since 2002 – promises to be revealing. Lens is due to host the ambitious Reims team (8th) on Saturday in Ligue 1 then will travel to Nice (2nd) on Wednesday December 20 for its last match of the year. 2024 will start strong with a match to be played against AS Monaco in the Coupe de France and the reception of PSG in Ligue 1.

If it fails to return to its best level, RC Lens could plunge in the coming weeks, as at the start of the season. But if their current success follows them, and the Artesian players continue to maintain the state of mind which allowed them to win against Sevilla on Tuesday, they could aim high in Ligue 1 and far in the Europa League. “Life is beautiful”summed up Florian Sotoca after the match, far from worries and eager to savor the present moment.