The truce has obviously done RC Lens good. While they remained on a series of four matches without a victory in the league, the Sang et Or won against Olympique Lyonnais (2-1), Friday evening, at the opening of the 6th day of Ligue 1.
It is a remarkable success, because it was obtained against a team which had not yet lost in the league this season, and which remained on a convincing 4-0 against Rennes. And above all it is the first victory on the bench for Yannick Cahuzac, whose choices were rewarded in this meeting.
The symbol? The first start of Florian Sotoca, used very little this season, and author of a really nice attacking goal, with a pivotal strike on a service from Florian Thauvin (1-0, 36th). It was a just reward for the Artésiens, who had copiously dominated this first period, in the wake of a sparkling Thauvin, and close to being a scorer (44th).
The captains put Lens back on track
The Lyonnais reacted upon returning from the locker room, first by Pavel Sulc (48th), then by Keito Nakamura (67th), coming on in place of an injured Loïs Openda at the hour mark. But Racing managed to take cover, with Thauvin once again at the helm, to place a long-range free kick on the head of Matthieu Udol (2-0, 77th).
The captains were assured, even if Udol was then excluded for an involuntary sole on Khalis Merah (84th), and the young Lyonnais reignited the suspense by reducing the gap in stride (2-1, 85th). But Lens held on, with a final save from Robin Risser in front of Felix Bacher (90th+2).
Now for Europe. To continue this momentum regarding Lens, with the reception of Sporting in the Champions League. And to quickly restart the machine for Lyon, with the arrival of Crystal Palace and a certain Pierre Sage in the Europa League on Thursday.
