There are summers where everything seems written in advance: smooth recovery, physical preparation, controlled transfer window. And then, sometimes, the unexpected invites itself. The RC Lens, absent from European qualifiers at the end of the season, could well recover a European place without playing the slightest dam. An administrative draft that no one has been talking about … so far.
Mechanics triggered by Lyon
Everything is actually based on a game of unpredictable dominoes. Olympique Lyonnais, demoted in Ligue 2 by the DNCG, is still waiting for the outcome of its call. But if the sanction is confirmed, the club would be automatically excluded from the Europa League, due to a financial agreement negotiated with UEFA – Caduc agreement in the event of a descent. Immediate result: Strasbourg (7th) would climb a notch … and Lens, 8th, would be drafted for the Europa League Conference.
In this case, no one is officially advancing. The new coach, Pierre Sage, repeats “Do not think of Europe”. However, the calculations are well in progress. The financial bonus is not negligible: more than 2 million euros guaranteed in C4, and up to 5 million for the C3. A windfall that would change the face of the Lensois summer, especially since the UEFA decision could fall just after the planned print in mid-July.
OL in Ligue 2: The European Plan B of Lens
A gift for Lens … not completely undeserved
If the ticket fell into the hands of RC Lens, it would not be completely usurped. The Sang and Gold had finished last season in a rush, with significant successes against Marseille (2-0) or Lyon (3-1). The team then led by Will Still had found binders, and displayed a found solidity. Europe would be a reward for this dynamic found.
The countdown is launched. OL's call must be examined in a few days, and UEFA is waiting for the verdict to redistribute the places. Between pre-season and European waiting room, Lens could well wake up qualified without having planned it. And the “hidden clause” of the summer would then become the most unexpected European surprise of the season.
