By literally exploding in London against Arsenal (6-0), Lens lost all its chances of qualifying for the knockout stages of the Champions League.
And to think that they had not conceded a goal in their last five outings in the league… This Wednesday evening at Arsenal’s Emirates Stadium, the Lensois were outclassed (6-0), crushed by the Gunners who had certainly a revenge to take after their defeat at Bollaert on October 3 (2-1). The slap being all the more painful for the Sang et Or as they now no longer have the slightest chance of reaching the round of 16 of the Champions League.
Eindhoven victorious in Seville earlier in the evening (2-3), Franck Haise’s men had to take at least one point in London to still believe in the feat. The illusion did not last long. Trailing 4-0 even before the half-hour mark, successively surprised by Havertz (13e), Jesus (21e), Saka (23e) and Martinelli (27e), the Lensois ended up returning to the locker room with five goals in their bag – Odegaard having added to the tally in added time of this cursed first period (45e+1). Jorginho was responsible for closing the score with a converted penalty at the end of the game (86e).
Losc 2012 sadly equaled
To find traces of such a correction inflicted on a French club in C1 based on the initial act alone, we must go back to Losc in 2012, punished 6-1 in Munich by Bayern, and already leading 5-0 at the break. Racing obviously would have done without the comparison… All is not lost for the outgoing French vice-champion, who can still win the consolation: namely a place in the Europa League. To do this, we will have to keep Sevilla FC at least in check in two weeks at Bollaert. A setback, on the other hand, will be synonymous with eviction from the continental scene. Arsenal, for their part, are guaranteed to finish in control of the group ahead of PSV.
