For its reunion with the Champions League, Lens obtained a draw (1-1) in Seville this Wednesday, September 20, synonymous with a good result after a nightmarish start to the season in Ligue 1.
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Time has passed between Lens’ good season in 2022-2023, where the club had fully deserved its place in the Champions League, and this start of the year. If the Artésiens had defied all predictions to invite themselves among the greats of Europe, finishing second in Ligue 1, one point behind the champion, Paris Saint-Germain, it is a real ordeal that Lens has been experiencing since the start of the Championship with four defeats in five matches and one draw.
Facing Sevilla, for this first outing in the Champions League, the Lensois wanted to write another story for their return to European level, even as Tom Thumb of group B, where Arsenal carries the label of favorite, Sevilla is at the lookout and PSV Eindhoven a little further behind.
Samba makes an incredible save
Lens, currently last in Ligue 1, has only played in the Champions League twice (1998-99 and 2002-03), without ever managing to get out of its group. This evening, against Seville, the Sang et Or clung to the idea of finally shining this season for this first meeting against the Sevillistas in C1.
Sevilla, winner of the Europa League seven times, quickly overwhelmed the Northerners after a header from the Argentinian Lucas Ocampos who lobbed Brice Samba (9th). But nothing to discourage the Lensois who equalized on a free kick with Angelo Fulgini, after a precise shot from the right which deceived Marko Dmitrovic.
In the first period, Lens was able to count on its goalkeeper, when Samba made an incredible save at close range with his right hand after a strike from Ocampos (31st). Lens was very hot. Samba also captured a header from En-Nesyri (40th).
Fully in the match, the Northerners had the opportunity to double the lead in the second half on several occasions, notably when Elye Wahi challenged Sergio Ramos by entering the area. His right shot will be blocked for a corner (58th).
On a cross to the far post from Przemysław Frankowski, Morgan Guilavogui headed back from six meters, but Dmitrovic reflexively diverted over his bar (78th).
Twenty years after their previous C1, the Artesian troops, almost neophytes at this level, return home with their heads held high with this draw.
In other matches, Inter Milan, finalist in the 2022 Champions League, snatched a point from the draw (1-1) against Real Sociedad in San Sebastian. Inter, leader of the Italian Championship with 12 points out of 12 possible, suffered against the Basques, without complexes, who opened the scoring in the 4th minute through Brais Mendez. Lautaro Martinez, discreet until then, equalized in the 87th minute.
The English Arsenal celebrated their reunion with the Champions League, six years after their last participation, with a successful score against PSV Eindhoven (4-0), with a defense far too permeable to compete at the start of the phase of groups.
Bayern Munich won after a crazy home match against Manchester United (4-3). The Munich residents made the difference thanks to goals from Sané (28th), Gnabry (32nd), Kane (53rd) and Tel (90th+2) and took the lead in group A while the Mancunians tried to get back into the game until the end with achievements from Hojlund (49th), Casemiro (88th) and Bruno Fernandes (90th + 5).
Real Madrid, largely dominant, only found the opening in added time (90+4) in its Santiago-Bernabeu stadium against Union Berlin (1-0). In search of a fifteenth coronation in the most prestigious of European cups, Real scored through its young English prodigy Jude Bellingham against an eye-catching German team for the first Champions League match in its history.
Naples won against Sporting Braga (2-1) but the reigning Italian champion club had difficulty confirming its status as favorite of this poster.
Galatasaray and FC Copenhagen drew (2-2), while Benfica lost on home soil against RB Salzburg (0-2).