The Sang et Or conceded their first defeat (0-1) in the Champions League this season on Wednesday.
The magic of the Champions League has evaporated and Lens is now in trouble. After obtaining a victory and two draws for its return to C1 twenty-one years after its last participation in the competition, the Artesian club lost for the first time against PSV Eindhoven, Wednesday November 8, at the Philips Stadion (0 -1). A frustrating defeat at the end of a tense match, which was decided by the only goal of the match, scored with a header by Luuk de Jong (12th). The Sang et Or are now in third place in group B, behind the Dutch.
From this double confrontation against the leader of the Dutch championship, the Lensois may harbor regrets, like the post found at the end of the match by Morgan Guilavogui (88th). In two matches and after the first leg at the Bollaert-Delelis stadium (1-1), Racing took only one point. The overall impression was, however, that the Lensois had room to do better, but that they came up against technical limits, too crude at this level to go unnoticed.
A post and a red for Guilavogui
Opposite, the Dutch PSV were realistic, scoring on their very first opportunity of the match. A cross from Johan Bakayoko, a powerful header from Luuk de Jong (12th) and Lens found themselves chasing the score, as in their first four matches of the group stage. The first three times, against each of the teams in this group B, Lens had managed to equalize, or even reverse the trend to win against Arsenal (2-1). That was not the case on Wednesday in the pouring rain in Eindhoven.
Caught in the vice of pressing established by Peter Bosz’s players, the Lensois found a few ways in transition, quickly and well turning the game on the opposite side, especially in the first period. Each time, the Sang et Or obtained interesting situations. But systematically, he missed a foot size to cut a trajectory, or there was too much power in a pass that was about to make the difference.
Finally, Walter Benitez, the PSV goalkeeper, had a rather quiet evening. He barely trembled on Deiver Machado’s shot, alone in the area, which flew far into the stands of the stadium (43rd). And, therefore, on the post touched by the incoming Guilavogui in the last minutes. The striker was sent off at the very end of the match (90th + 2) in a tense match where the referee brought out numerous cards, especially on the Lensois side.
Lens dominated in the second half
Caught in the trap of nervousness, the Lensois missed their chance in the first period. Except in the last minutes when the Sang et Or pushed to equalize, the second act was dominated by PSV and Brice Samba saw the strikes multiply on his goals. The Lens goalkeeper was decisive in front of Hirving Lozano (86th) to keep his team alive. In vain.
With this defeat, its very first in the competition since October 2002, Lens loses a place and finds itself third in group B. Tied on points with PSV – who ended a series of 17 games without winning in C1 –, but behind the Dutch club with the difference in the game of direct confrontations. Qualification for the round of 16 is still possible for the Lensois but it will certainly be necessary to win one of the last two matches. Either on the Arsenal pitch on November 29, or at Bollaert-Delelis, against Sevilla FC on December 12.