Winner in Toulouse, Lens returns to one point behind OM

The game: 0-1

Sparkling ten days ago against Monaco (3-0), Lens suffered on Tuesday evening to dominate Toulouse (1-0) in a late match for the 33rd day of Ligue 1. Did the Artésiens already have their heads? turned towards the shock against OM (2nd) next Saturday at Bollaert-Delelis? Still, Franck Haise’s men were jostled at the start of the match by euphoric Toulouse after their success in the Coupe de France last Saturday against Nantes (5-1).

Philippe Montanier had turned around a lot, making no less than nine changes compared to the eleven lined up three days earlier at the Stade de France, only Logan Costa and Fares Chaïbi retaining their place on the field.

Suffocating the Lensois with their pressing, the Toulouse got the first chance through Sierro, whose curled shot from the right grazed the left post of Samba (5th), who then lay down well to deflect a free kick from Chaïbi (26th). Bothered by the double defensive curtain of the TFC, the Sang et Or struggled to find their attackers. Thus, after 30 minutes of play, they had touched only one ball in the opposing area, by Sotoca. Ultra-realistic, Lens however found the fault on his first shot on target, by the essential Loïs Openda (33rd). A goal that cooled the atmosphere of the Stadium.

Despite the transition to 4-3-3 from Toulouse on the hour mark after the entries of Van den Boomen, Aboukhlal and Dallinga, the Lensois were solid defensively. But, failing to make the break, by Openda (57th, 82nd) ​​or Sotoca (72nd), they were scared at the end of the match. On a final kick, Maxime Dupé almost turned into a decisive p***er by deflecting a ball for Costa with his head, whose helmet shot ended in the arms of Samba, vigilant on his line (90th + 5).

This success allows Lens to consolidate their third place and return to one point behind OM before the clash of the 34th day, scheduled for next Saturday, between the two contenders for direct qualification in the Champions League, or even better if adventure the PSG continued to fall apart…

The man of the match: Loïs Openda releases the Blood and Gold again

The TFC smiles decidedly at Loïs Openda. Author of a hat-trick in the first leg (3-0) where he came into play in the 56th minute, the Belgian striker again gave victory to the Sang et Or on Tuesday evening. The only scorer, he struck for the 18th time in L1 this season, beating Logan Costa to cut off a cross from Haïdara at the near post and deceive Maxime Dupé with a straight header (33rd).

Openda weighed heavily on the Toulouse defense but lacked success, like this shot in the small outside net (41st), or this too soft shot in the arms of Dupé (57th). On a clearance from Brice Samba, struggling with Costa, he could have benefited from a dangerous free kick at the edge of the area, for a foul from the Cape Verdean defender who held his arm while he was spinning alone on goal, but Mr. Depechy penalized … the Lensois striker (64th). Hit in the right knee on this action, Openda gritted his teeth. Well launched by Fulgini on the right side, he resisted Costa’s return well but, at the end of the race, he crossed his shot too much at a closed angle (82nd), before giving way to Labeau Lascary (83rd).

0

Lens have not lost any of their ten Ligue 1 games against a promoted player since rising to the top flight in 2020 (8 wins, 2 draws). (Opt)