Two weeks after the fabulous victory against Arsenal (2-1), Lens hosts PSV Eindhoven at Bollaert on Tuesday October 24 for the third day of the Champions League with the hope of capitalizing on their exploit.
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Friday, at the opening of the 9th day of Ligue 1, Lens avoided defeat against Le Havre (0-0), a lesser evil before receiving PSV Eindhoven in the Champions League. Weighed down by a catastrophic start to the season with only one point taken in five days of the championship, and engaged in a marathon to return to the top of the standings, the Lensois are still in 14th place in Ligue 1. However, they have still not lost only one match since their defeat against Metz in mid-September, in the championship and in the Champions League. The draw from Sevilla (1-1) served as a trigger before the exploit at home against Arsenal (2-1).
“ It will take personality »
For the moment, Lens leads Group B with four points while the Dutch club is in last position with just one unit. PSV Eindhoven largely lost to Arsenal (4-0 on September 20), before a deserved draw against Sevilla (2-2 on October 3). However, the Dutch are strolling in their championship: 9 matches, 9 victories, 30 goals scored and three conceded. Peter Bosz’s men, who have experience in C1 on their side, will want to get back on their feet in the most prestigious European competition.
“ We hear about the game against Arsenal in the street, but there are still four games leftrecalled the Sang et Or defender, Jonathan Gradit, at a press conference. We’re going to have to put out a great match otherwise we’re going straight into the wall. It will take personality. PSV is first in its championship “, he continued.
“ PSV is a team which has real experience in the Champions League, it outperforms its championship which is ahead of ours in the UEFA coefficient. His game is based on attack. It’s a complete team and in great shape. Faced with them, I’m not sure we can take the initiative anymore », Added Franck Haise, the coach of the Artésiens.
Surprising leaders of their group, ahead of Arsenal, the Lensois can take a real step towards qualifying for the round of 16. “ If we don’t put this content out, we can’t hope for much. On the other hand, if we put a lot into it, like we did in Seville or against Arsenal, we can be ambitious. And we must be », Finally said Franck Haise. The destiny of the mining area club this season in C1 should therefore be decided during this double confrontation against the Eindhoven club. At home, then in two weeks in the south of the Netherlands (November 8).
The program for Tuesday October 23:
Group A:
Galatasaray – Bayern Munich
Manchester United – FC Copenhagen
Group B:
Sevilla FC – Arsenal
Lens – PSV Eindhoven
Group C:
Union Berlin – Naples
Braga – Real Madrid
Group D:
Inter Milan – RB Salzburg
Benfica – Real Sociedad