The timing is delicate. The Racing Club of Lens must play an extremely important match for the rest of their season, this Thursday evening in Athens, after winning their first leg against Panathinaikos at Bollaert a week ago (2-1). Problem, the summer transfer window closes its doors 24 hours later. And this situation inevitably creates uncertainty for Will Still’s group.
“It’s not ideal, acknowledged the Lens coach. But as long as the communication is direct and honest with the players, there is no problem. I think there is no problem here and there will be none. Every person at the club is concerned about this match and 100% for Thursday. And what has to be done in the last hours of the transfer window will be done and done well by all the leaders. Everything is in place to have a good match at home.
2 puzzles for the defensive sector
On Tuesday, Will Still believed that there was still a chance of seeing Kevin Danso take part in this second round in Greece, even if the Austrian international has reached an agreement with Roma.
“There are always options. Everyone knows what’s going on with Kev right now. (Dance). We will see if he accompanies us there or not. We are ready to adapt to all scenarios. The players who will play are ready and well ready.
A first surprise for the defensive sector, which will be added to a second headache: that of numerically replacing Medina, suspended after his expulsion in the first leg. For the rest, Lens will still rely on its strengths, with the man in form of the moment, Wesley Saïd, aligned on the front of the attack.
The expected line-up for Lens : Samba – Gradit, Sarr, Danso – Frankowski, Chavez, Diouf, Thomasson, Zaroury – Sotoca – Saïd.
