With courage and forceps, Lens secured a precious victory this Thursday evening at Bollaert, in the first leg of the Conference League play-off, the third of the European cups. Facing a Panathinaikos team that played with a numerical superiority for more than 70 minutes, the Blood and Gold were able to take an option on the final table of the competition.
It all started perfectly for the Artésiens with the quick goal from Frankowski, forgotten in the Greek surface (1-0, 4e). But things went sour later when Medina saw red for an involuntary but dangerous sole judged by video assistance (22e). A real blow that did not prevent Lens from making the break through the now indispensable Saïd, in two stages (2-0, 34e).
No Danso in Athens?
After the break, the Athenians reduced the gap thanks to a solo performance from their goal-scoring captain Ioannidis (2-1, 53e). And despite the multiplication of crosses in front of the goal guarded by Samba, Will Still’s men knew how to resist at all costs to preserve the advantage and thus envisage the return leg in a favorable position.
Next Thursday, Panathinaikos will also host, in an atmosphere that promises to be equally boiling. The Blood and Gold have been warned. We know the ingredients to qualify; we will have to put in at least as much as this evening to win the second battle. “, said Saïd on Canal+. Possibly without their defensive rock, Danso, called to leave the club in this final stretch of the transfer window.
