The fairy tale of the Racing Club de Lens continues. Brilliant since the start of the season, the team coached by Pierre Sage continues to impress day after day. Winners of OGC Nice (2-0), the Artésiens will spend the end-of-year holidays on the throne of Ligue 1. Against the Aiglons, Lens was once again able to rely on a summer duo who had become indispensable: Matthieu Udol, an inspired passer from his left lane, and Odsonne Édouard, a clinical scorer in the area.
Arriving this summer for 3.5 million euros after a standoff with FC Metz, Matthieu Udol embodies the resilient trajectory of RC Lens version Pierre Sage. Held back by four cruciate ligament ruptures between 2016 and 2022, the 29-year-old left back was able to return to the highest level. Since the restart, he has established himself as one of the most consistent players in the championship in his position. Against Nice, he once again demonstrated his offensive influence and consistency, delivering his fourth and fifth assist of the season in Ligue 1.
Performances which do not escape his coach, who sees in him a trajectory similar to a former Lensois, who discovered the French team following his performances in the North. “ A Jonathan Clauss-style trajectory? In my opinion, yes. Its regularity today only reinforces this positionconfided Sage at a press conference this Thursday. But there are very good players in this sector, and they are more used to playing these kinds of competitions than him, so I think that will count. » Udol himself does not close any doors, but remains focused on the collective. “ If the club has a very good season and I continue to perform well, it may come to my mind to think about the selection… “. At the end of the Lens victory this Sunday, the defender did it again. “ It’s the holiday season, we have to give some gifts (editor’s note, on his two assists). There’s a lot of talk about it at the moment (about the French team), but I’m focused on what I’m doing with Lens. We have to continue like this to be able to think about this summer later “, he indicated to Ligue 1+.
Two top recruits
In front, Odsonne Édouard perfectly concluded the work of her partners. Author of a double this afternoon, the 27-year-old center forward now brings his total to seven goals in Ligue 1 this season, placing him in the top 4 of the best scorers in the championship. An efficiency all the more remarkable given that his debut in the Sang et Or jersey had been timid, with three first matches without finding the net. It was not until October and the matches against Auxerre, Paris FC and then Olympique de Marseille that the former PSG and Celtic player finally launched his season.
Since then, Odsonne Édouard has changed dimensions. Formidable at the start of a match, he is quite simply the player who has scored the most goals between the 1st and 30th minutes of play in the five major European championships this season (6). A strong symbol of the conquering and aggressive Lens desired by Pierre Sage. Between the rebirth of Udol and the explosion of Édouard, the Racing Club de Lens perhaps has much more than just two successful recruits: the pillars of an already historic season. To see now over time…
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