Young strategist (32 years old), Will Still was certainly not going to change his game plans despite criticism from the northern press after the defeat against OM (1-3) last weekend. The Sang et Or had a huge first period to undermine the Phocaeans without managing to realize their opportunities. The Belgian technician demanded the same intensity from his team and the Lensois won on the pitch of the Stade de Reims (0-2), Friday evening at the opening of the 13th day of Ligue 1, to temporarily move up to sixth position in the standings. .
The Belgian technician made his comeback to Reims, his former club, against Luka Elsner whom he knows perfectly since he was his assistant at Standard Liège. Still thus launched Anass Zaroury on the left and Angelo Fulgini in number 10 to seal the match from the start, the attacking midfielder constantly bringing danger by asking for the ball between the lines.
Lens will continue against the last
Adrien Thomasson thus opened the scoring with a cross strike after a poor dismissal from the Reims defense (23rd). In the second half, Mbala Nzola, after missing a huge opportunity, scored the break goal on the hour mark on a counter-attack (61st).
Despite the excesses of Junya Ito, the Champagne team did not manage to create quality offensive situations and never shook Brice Samba’s nets. Stade de Reims, 9th in the standings, will try to relaunch in Strasbourg next week, while RC Lens will host Montpellier, the red lantern, in order to confirm in front of their Bollaert crowd and stay in the race for European qualification.
