For its big return to the Champions League, RC Lens, placed in hat 4, can expect a complicated draw. Some teams of the first hats are nevertheless within reach.
Twenty-one years after its last appearance on the most prestigious European stage, RC Lens is preparing to make its comeback in the Champions League. Thanks to their second place behind PSG, the Sang et Or will indeed be among the 32 teams qualified for the group stage. This return nevertheless promises to be perilous since, due to their UEFA index, the Lensois will be in hat 4 during the draw to be held this Thursday at 6 p.m.
This presence in hat 4 is the assurance of a strong group for the vice-champions of France. Nevertheless, some teams appear more affordable than others… Thus, even in pot 1, Feyenoord, champion of the Netherlands, does not appear as an insurmountable adversary. And Benfica is necessarily less scary than Manchester City or Bayern Munich.
This observation also applies to hat 2, despite a density that is probably still bigger. Good draws are rare but it is probably better for the Lensois to face FC Porto than Real Madrid, Manchester United or Inter Milan. At least on paper. Pot 3 can also be tricky, especially due to the presence of AC Milan or Lazio Rome. Confronting would necessarily be less complicated.
While RC Lens have everything to fear from the Champions League group stage draw, a group with Feyenoord, FC Porto and FC Porto would be a (very) good draw and allow some hopes of qualifying for the round of 16.
