Trailing, the Sang et Or managed to avoid defeat at home thanks to Elye Wahi on Tuesday (1-1). They now occupy 2nd place in Group B behind Arsenal.
Lens did not come away with victory, but the hopes of qualification are safe. Three weeks after remarkably defeating Arsenal, the Sang et Or conceded a draw at home in the Champions League, Tuesday October 24, against PSV Eindhoven (1-1). Not everything was easy for Franck Haise’s players, as it has been since the start of the season, but they were able to respond, coming back to the score thanks to a goal from Elye Wahi (65th), author of a subtle recovery from the outside of the foot.
Lens would perhaps have left Bollaert with a defeat this evening without the flair of its coach. Three minutes before his scorer’s equalizer, the coach made a triple change. The stadium announcer then informed the public of Wahi’s exit, who received a few whistles, before changing his mind and announcing that of Florian Sotoca. A profitable choice which earned Elye Wahi an exit to the cheers of the Lensois supporters ten minutes later, aware of the importance of his goal.
Still undefeated and virtually qualified
This draw is not an ideal result, especially given the expectations generated by the victory against Arsenal in early October, but it keeps Lens in a good position for the race to qualify for the round of 16. A completely unexpected objective for a club which was still playing in Ligue 2 three years ago and which is currently only 15th in Ligue 1.
Congratulated by the stadium after the final whistle, the Lensois players refused to inherit the status of favorite on Tuesday evening. Unofficially, they may regret not having materialized their very good start to the match. In the first period, apart from a strike from Hirving Lozano on the post (27th), the Dutch were only dangerous in the stands, where PSV supporters tore up and threw seats at their Sang et Or counterparts.
But upon returning from the locker room, Brice Samba was beaten by Johan Bakayoko (54th) on a very curled shot on which the goalkeeper of the France team could have been decisive. Jostled at times by the leaders of the Dutch championship, the Lensois therefore came back to the level but were unable to take the advantage at the end of the match despite the support of its supporters. Impeccable on the defensive level, the Northerners lacked precision in the last gesture, a recurring problem in recent weeks (like the 0-0 draw in Le Havre, last Friday).
Despite everything, the Artesian club remains undefeated in this Champions League. It is 2nd in its group behind Arsenal, winner in Seville (2-1), and remains three points ahead of 3rd. Qualification is still far from being achieved but Franck Haise’s players can continue to think about this sweet dream, the course of which will resume on November 8, with the trip from Lens to Eindhoven for the return match.