34th day of Ligue 1 | RC Lens – Olympique de Marseille: the shock of the heart

This RC Lens-Olympique de Marseille is unexpected. Who could have predicted that the Lensois would be so high in the rankings at the start of the 34th day? Who could have known that with 70 points in as many days – a historic record for the Marseille club – OM would not yet be assured of second place? If this duel is scheduled for this Saturday at 9 p.m., it is because the priority broadcasters did not consider it possible, like many others. This taste of the unexpected is delightful.

Ideal setup

Because he accompanies two teams with their own and similar characteristics. Because basically, this RC Lens – OM is THE clash of the year, as Leonardo Balerdi summed up so well in a press conference: “Lens are the best team at home and we are the best away“. The ideal configuration to determine a dolphin, at least.

Ideal, the position of RC Lens is. Three victories in a row at home, the disappointment of the aborted shock against PSG evacuated, it is with the win and carried by a devouring collective enthusiasm that the troupe of Franck Haise hopes to bring another magical evening to Bollaert. After having nagged PSG, Monaco, Lyon and Rennes in their lair, the Lensois warriors are still thirsty for battles and boxing matches in which to throw all their souls and all their weapons.

Sometimes minimalist this season, this team has kept this greatness for special occasions. Pressing, intensity, races, opportunities, overcoming function and rushes at will: the recipe is known but has wrung out more than one.

Unlike others, there will be a real respondent opposite. Because if Igor Tudor succeeded in one thing, it was to impose his mark despite the squalls in Marseille – the mistral blew hard at the start of the season – to transform a team with a slow and romantic tempo last year into an infernal racing machine. . Basically, these two armies are similar even if the Croatian did not want to draw a perfect parallel.

Max heartbeat, even on the couch

In Marseille, the list is shorter and perhaps less balanced. But Alexis Sanchez is so sunny that he irradiates others with his talent, his endurance and his Uruguayan garra, he the Chilean. Sometimes brilliant, sometimes (very frustrating), Jonathan Clauss and Nuno Tavares remain capable of great things while the Rongier-Veretout duo, less prominent lately, may remain the only ones able to resist the Lensoise intensity. .

This Saturday is therefore the shock of the heart for Ligue 1. The one that validates a season of redemption and symbolizes a new era in a finally modern championship, even if Europe is slow to see the consequences. This Saturday is also a shock for the heart, with intensity that can make you sweat from your sofa. Basically, this RC Lens – OM is a cry from the heart: the unexpected is always welcome.