Tour of Ligue 1 clubs: Lens dreams of Europe

The RC Lens never ceases to impress. Since returning to the top flight in 2020, after a stay of five seasons in Ligue 2, the Sang et Or have squatted at the top of the table, making misery for the big guys. In the wake ofvery good preparation and an excellent transfer window on paper, the northern club will try to keep their good habits, and who knows, do even better. Franceinfo: sport offers you an overview of ambitions lensoises, while the RCL will host Brest for the first day of Ligue 1, Sunday August 7 at 3 p.m.

The objective: to maintain… officially

Seventh in 2021, same result in 2022… Lens hopes to make the pass of three in the league, or even perhaps aim higher and gain access to European places. At the microphone of RMC, the coach Franck Haise was ambitious: “My leaders talk about maintenance and they are right because football remains fragile. This is the first mission. After (…) you don’t have to set limits.”

Regular for two years in the game as in the results, the Artesians want to keep their bases. Their offseason friendlies were convincing (four wins and one draw).

Player to watch: David Pereira da Costa, the Thoroughbred

He will be the key to the Lensoise attack this season. With 33 Ligue 1 games last season (three goals and five assists), 21-year-old David Pereira da Costa has gradually taken over as holder of No. 10 Gaël Kakuta. This season should be that of confirmation for the pocket attacking midfielder (1.68 m).

Trained at the club, the Portuguese hope should recover the position of playmaker, and ensure the transmission between the doublet of midfielders Fofana-Samed and forwards Buksa and Openda.

The one who joined RC Lens at 12 is seen there as “a monster, a phenomenon” in the words of Gaël Kakuta in March in La Voix du Nord (article for subscribers).

The rookie: Loïs Openda, the gold striker?

Alongside the Polish Adam Buksa, currently on the flank until September for a broken ankle, Loïs Openda is at 22 the flagship offensive rookie of the Sang et Or. Trained at Standard de Liège then at FC Bruges, the center-forward had been on loan for two years Arnhem speed.

The Belgian made a name for himself with the Dutch club, scoring 24 goals in 50 games in all competitions last season. Complete, fast, technical and efficient in front of goal, the one who recently joined the Belgian selection (three selections) knows how to show composure.

On the transfer window side, the departure of Malian Cheick Doucouré, sold this summer to Crystal Palace, was offset by the arrival of the tireless defensive midfielder from Clermont Salis Abdul Samed. Top scorer for the Rouge et Or last season, Arnaud Kalimuendo (12 goals) returned to PSG, while the right piston Jonathan Clauss (5 goals and 11 assists) joined Marseille. In exchange, the offensive sector of Lens benefits from new blood with the arrivals of Loïs Openda and Adam Buksa.

The 11 type