After a successful debut in Ligue 1, the Racing Club of Lens is diving into its European season with a highly anticipated play-off against Panathinaikos. A big challenge for the Blood and Gold, who will have to avoid the trap set by this Greek club experienced in continental jousts in order to secure their ticket for the Europa Conference League.
“It’s a very mature team, full of experience with a high average age, warned Will Still. They have vice and maturity, a knowledge of European competitions with around 200 matches in total to their name. We have seen the problems they have caused Ajax Amsterdam and against other French clubs in recent years. They are strong, they are a big piece, a very good team. When they have the ball, they are very aggressive and well organized when they don’t have it. This is the kind of match we want to play. “The scene is set.
The expected compositions
Lens : Samba – Gradit, Danso, Medina – Frankowski, Mendy, Thomasson, Machado – Pereira da Costa – Said, Sotoca.
Panathinaikos : Lodygin – Mladenovic, Jedvaj, Ingason, Kotsiras – Willian Arao, Cerin – Duricic, Bakasetas, Mancini – Ioannidis.
Where to watch the match?
This Europa Conference League play-off first leg between Lens and Panathinaikos will be broadcast this Thursday evening on Canal + Foot, from 9 p.m. It will also be possible to watch it on the group’s streaming platform, MyCanal.