RC Lens believed in it for a long time in an exceptional atmosphere at Bollaert-Delelis, but Paris Saint-Germain ended up leaving the North with a success (0-2) synonymous with a new French champion title. However, the Sang et Or probably delivered one of their most successful performances of the season against the Parisian armada. From the first minutes, Pierre Sage’s men imposed enormous intensity, pressed high and multiplied dangerous situations in front of Matvey Safonov’s goal. Sima, Saïd, Thomasson and Sangaré all had clear chances in a match where Lens often made PSG falter. But between the lack of offensive realism and the immense performance of the Parisian goalkeeper, the Artésiens ended up being punished in the rare moments of defensive hesitation.
This defeat inevitably leaves a huge bitter taste on the Lensois side as the content displayed has long rivaled that of the French champion. Kvaratskhelia’s goal just before the half-hour mark cooled Bollaert while Lens clearly dominated the proceedings, before Ibrahim Mbaye definitively sealed the fate of the match in added time. Between Safonov’s saves, the post found by Sima and the goal denied to Thauvin, the missed opportunities ended up weighing heavily on this very special evening. Despite the final score, the Lensois supporters pushed for a long time behind a courageous and ambitious team, aware of playing one of the last major meetings of its season against a PSG always so clinical in the big moments.
Wise disappointed but not frustrated
At a press conference, Pierre Sage did not hide his great disappointment after this meeting where he believes that his team deserved much better. Very marked by the scenario of the match, the Lensois coach was keen to congratulate his players for their performance while regretting this cruel lack of efficiency which prevented Lens from bringing down Paris in their stadium. The Artesian technician especially insisted on the gap between the content produced and the final result, he who considers this defeat to be extremely severe in view of the face displayed by his men. “Not frustration, but disappointment. The players were not rewarded for having had such a match. We deserved something other than this defeat with a match like this. The score is very unfair. Yes, especially against this opponent. Sometimes you have to remember who you’re playing against. One of the best teams in the world. It’s very honorary to have played this match but football is not an artistic activity. We missed too many chances to win. They had two and a half chances and they scored twice. And we give them two chances. After their second goal is superb. We were ineffective in finishing. But we have convictions and confidence and these are elements to keep in order to prepare well for the final and win”.
Pierre Sage then broadened his analysis by evoking the difference in profile between PSG and OGC Nice, Lens’ future opponent in the final of the Coupe de France. Despite the pain of this evening and the title officially lost to the Parisians, the RC Lens coach wants to maintain the many reasons for hope seen against Luis Enrique’s team. Convinced that this performance can serve as a basis before the big meeting at the end of the season, he insisted on the importance of keeping this collective confidence intact before returning to a Nice team with a very different style. “We played an opponent of unspeakable caliber, they are so strong. It’s very good to have put in this kind of performance but it will be different against Nice, who play more together. Paris opens up quite often in its matches and that’s what left us a lot of space. But for the players to remain with this impression, it’s very good“, he concluded. Beaten but far from being defeated, the Lensois leave this evening with immense frustration but also with the conviction of still being able to end this season with a trophy.
