This Wednesday, April 20, Racing Club de Lens won a masterful victory against Montpellier (2-0) for the 33rd day of Ligue 1. A masterful success in an exceptional atmosphere. This is the third in a row, a first this season in Ligue 1.
But this victory especially allows the artesians to stick to European places. They remain 3 points from fifth place but now the podium (synonymous with a play-off for the Champions League, but shhh…) is the same distance away.
But to climb even further in the rankings this week, you will have to knock down a mountain: The PSG which has only one match to win to be champion of France…
Fact of the match: winning coaching
We play the 75th minute of play, and Racing has already been leading for more than half an hour following a personal exploit by Pereira Da Costa. Montpellier has just brought in Savanier and Mollet and is beginning, for the first time in the match, to be dangerous.
On the Lensois side, Berg touches his first ball and returns to Frankowski who adjusts a millimeter center on the head of Ganago. It is precise, flush with the post, 2-0. The break is done. The three players have just entered the game.
For the striker, it’s the first goal since December 19. Better, in Ligue 1, it had been almost six months since he had scored. These are called decisive changes.
Player of the Match: David Pereira Da Costa
The young (20 years old) Portuguese midfielder takes on a new dimension in the Sang et Or workforce. In the absence of Gaël Kakuta, he has a fifth tenure in a row. And it suits him well.
After more than half an hour of play, RC Lens have their hands on the game, but struggle to be sharp in the last meters. A goal has just been denied to Seko Fofana, offside, so the club-trained player decides to take matters into his own hands.
He controls a pass at the entrance to the surface, dribbled past three defenders and scored with a powerful cross shot. He did it all.
the stat: 4 goals conceded in 7 games
That too is a first this season. Symbol of a regained balance, the Lensois have been stronger for a few weeks, but without losing offensive efficiency. They have a fourth clean sheet in six games. A figure to be credited to the two goalkeepers.
Jean-Louis Leca and Wuilker Farinez seem to have completely digested the rotation put in place by Franck Haise. The most experienced is totally concerned. The young person who must progress takes on more and more stature. Facing Montpellier, he made several very clean saves, including one on a lobed strike from Savanier which took the path to the skylight. Lens led 1-0, it could have been a turning point in the game.