After Lens’ success at home against Le Havre this Friday (1-0), find out what caught the attention of the editorial staff for this match on the 20th day of Ligue 1.
TOPS
Raise the Lensois wall
A new clean sheet for Robin Risser. The fifth in a row at home for the Lensois goalkeeper. Once again the young 21-year-old French goalkeeper impresses in goal. This Friday evening against Le Havre, Risser saved his team twice by making decisive saves. The most important in the 55th minute on a Le Havre free kick. Boufal crosses at the far post for Sangante who finds himself all alone and hits with a header… but the HAC captain falls on a wall. Robin Risser stops the attempt on his line by leaning very low, very quickly. The Sang et Or goalkeeper also talked about his kicking game. He almost every time found a partner on his restarts, finishing with 89% of successful passes (24/27), including 12 long passes out of 14.
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The decisive northern pistons
Matthew Udol, Ruben Aguilar. The two Lensois players delivered an XXL performance this evening. Aguilar first, on his right side, seemed inexhaustible. The right back increased his back and forth in his lane, even in the 12 long minutes of added time. Impeccable defensively, he also revealed himself in attack. It was he who scored the only goal of the match with a volley from a cross from a certain… Matthieu Udol.
Aligned on the left lane, Udol also shone this Friday evening. His assist is just one of his many crosses, 8 in total. Every time he has the ball at his feet, the Frenchman accelerates the game, sets the pace. In the final third of the field, he has 80% successful passes (8/10), proof of his offensive efficiency. But defensively, too, he was impeccable: 5 duels, 5 won. He left no chance for Loïc Nego, lined up opposite.
(Provisional) return to the top of Ligue 1
With this victory, the Lensois temporarily regain the lead in the ranking. Lens peaks at 46 points against 45 for the moment for PSG who have one game less. The Sang et Or are putting pressure on the Parisians, traveling this weekend to Strasbourg (7th), a team playing for a place in Europe. The Lensois needed to reassure themselves after the disillusionment against Marseille (3-1) last weekend, it’s done! At home, the Lensois are unstoppable. They haven’t lost since August, against OL.
FLOPS
Le Havre too imprecise
The Le Havre team was combative throughout the match… but far too imprecise. Whether offensively with only 2 shots on target out of 8 attempts. But also defensively where the HAC was punished. On goal, Aguilar is left completely alone at the far post, allowing him to strike without any problem. The bill could have been higher if the referee had not refused Lensois’ second goal after VAR control. On this occasion in the 66th minute, the Lensois received no opposition. Thauvin was first able to attempt a header, before Édouard and Saïd attempted a double bicycle like Olive and Tom. Finally, Thomasson pushes the ball into the back of the net. None of the 4 players was hampered by a defender.
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Odsonne Édouard ghostly
There is still a Lensois who was not at the same level as his teammates this evening. Odsonne Édouard was far too invisible against Le Havre. A recurring problem in his last three Ligue 1 matches. Against Ciel et Marine, Édouard only struck once. Too little for a scorer. Only 7 passes over the entire match. A performance well below the expectations around him. He will come out in the 75th minute, replaced by Rayan Fofana.
