It was a much anticipated northern derby. This Sunday afternoon, the Racing Club de Lens and Lille were not decided at the Bollaert stadium. The two teams part with a score of 1 goal everywhere. Benjamin André found the fault at the end of the first act before Deiver Machado responded at the end of the match.
This draw does not help the two teams in the standings. For the Sang et Or, it’s 14th place with a total of 8 points on the clock. Franck Haise’s men are, however, on a good run of 5 consecutive matches without defeat. But the top of the table is still very far away for the Lensois.
On the other hand, with this result, the Mastiffs gain a position and find themselves provisionally 7th in Ligue 1 with 12 points while awaiting the meeting between Stade Rennais and Paris Saint-Germain this Sunday evening.
Lensois overall dominant but not effective
The Racing Club de Lens was keen to do well and put out an XXL performance in this Northern derby. Very enterprising at the start of the match and throughout the first act with an intense and aggressive quality of play, Kevin Danso’s teammates were however surprised at the end of the first period by Lille.
In the very last moments of the first period, Edon Zhegrova found the head of Benjamin André on a corner shot from right to left which deceived Brice Samba (45e +3, 1-0).
Returning from the locker room, the Lensois increased the pace and intensity to come back to the score and at least snatch a draw. And it ended up paying off at the end of the match with winning coaching from Franck Haise. The French technician decided to bring on Deiver Machado shortly after the hour mark in place of Abdukodir Khusanov.
Only a few seconds after coming into play, and on his first ball, the Lensois left piston will find the net. A magnificent movement initiated by Morgan Guilavogui, Elye Wahi and Przemyslaw Frankowski on the right side. The latter sends a perfect cross into the area for Machado who finishes with a header.
Despite a crazy end to the match and numerous waves from Lens, LOSC did not give in and ended up holding the score.
