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Lens-Lille: between title fight and battle for Europe, a derby under pressure

2021-05-08T02:58:29.916Z


Opposed this Friday evening at the opening of the 36th day of Ligue 1, Racing Club de Lens and LOSC have the obligation to win so that their respective ambitions do not fly away in this final sprint. A real derby under pressure.


A crucial derby.

This Friday evening, from 9 p.m., the Racing Club de Lens and the LOSC will not have the right to make mistakes.

Opposed at the start of the 36th day of Ligue 1, the two rival clubs are obliged to come away with the victory so as not to compromise their chances of qualifying for the Europa League for the Blood and Gold and winning the league title. of France for the Mastiffs.

It is however noted that at least one of the two teams will lose feathers in the battle.

See both in the event of a draw.

A poor performance expected by their respective competitors.

»SEE ALSO -

The Ligue 1 ranking

Both in the hunted position

The Lensois are pursued by Olympique de Marseille, sixth with the same number of points and the same goal difference, and by Stade Rennais, seventh with two points behind. The two teams are waiting for a misstep from the Artésiens to snatch up this qualifying place for the second European Cup (sixth place could also be qualifying for Europe, for the Conference League, if the winner of the Coupe de France is already European). Jorge Sampaoli's men, disappointing last week against Strasbourg (1-1), will be opposed this Sunday to AS Saint-Etienne; a team within their grasp on paper but capable of posing problems for superior teams. The task promises to be (perhaps) more difficult for the Red and Black, defeated in Bordeaux last Sunday in numerical inferiority (1-0),who face Paris Saint-Germain at the end of this 36th day. But what will be the state of mind of Parisians? Will they be fighters to keep their title? Or will they be demobilized after their disappointment on Tuesday evening? 

"READ ALSO - Monaco-Lyon: the sanctions after the general fight spare the Lyonnais

LOSC is also in the hunted position. Unlike Lens, who must pay attention to the goal difference with OM, the Mastiffs have their destiny completely in their hands. If they want to be crowned champions of France, they will not have to crack. Leaders of Ligue 1, they are only one point ahead of the capital club, second. The formation of the North therefore has no room for error this Friday. Especially since a setback or a match could allow AS Monaco, third, and Olympique Lyonnais, fourth, to possibly come back in his rearview mirror, just two games from the end of the championship. A possibility that the team led by Christophe Galtier would no doubt like to rule out. So,the North derby - the name given to the clash between the two rivals even though Lens is a town in Pas-de-Calais - is of particular importance.

Coaches calm things down

Christophe Galtier summed up the situation and the challenges of the match very well: “The stake is on the result not on the rivalry with Lens.

Lens will fight to grab a European place.

We would like to stay ahead.

The Champions League and the title are at stake, ”the Lille technician explained at a press conference on Thursday.

The two coaches do not hide their ambitions.

Franck Haise, for whom "Europe is not taboo", "hopes" to win against the neighbor to the North.

Christophe Galtier, for his part, knows full well that a national coronation requires success at Bollaert: "I think Paris will win the next three games so if we want to stay ahead, we have to win the next three games", a- he confided. 

"READ ALSO - Lille does not tremble against Nice and keeps the controls of Ligue 1

But paradoxically, the two coaches also tried to minimize the determining aspect of the shock of this Friday, probably to avoid putting additional pressure on their players. “I'm not fixated on [Europe, editor's note]. If we finish 7th, I will still have a good vacation. We're still going to do everything to be 5th or 6th, ”the Sang et Or coach told reporters on Wednesday, preferring to put the full weight of the result on Lille's shoulders. "When we have done most of the season in the lead, for them it would be a disappointment if they weren't champions." The Mastiff technician also tried to calm things down: “Given the situation in the standings, there are very important issues for both teams. There is no additional pressure, he said. There isenvironment. There were supporters yesterday. But on the match, nothing changes. Lens is having a very good season. My pre-game chat will be no different. I don't think this match will be decisive. ”

"If we can deprive them (Lille) of the title, it would be nice"

Gael Kakuta

Still, this match tastes different. Evidenced by the statements of Gaël Kakuta, born in Lille but who grew up in Artois. Asked about his preference between LOSC and PSG for the title of champion of France, the playmaker trained at RCL did not make a fuss, thus launching hostilities: “I prefer Paris. If we can deprive them (Lille) of the title, it would be nice, ”he said. Words little appreciated by Burak Yilmaz, the strong man of Lille in this final sprint. “I know the player well. He's a very good, experienced player. Compared to respect, he should have kept that to himself. In addition last week, they played against Paris and they lost, “replied the Lille center forward dryly. The tension is palpable. In the first leg, LOSC had made short work of Racing Club de Lens (4-0).The return match has already started.

Read also

  • The Ligue 1 ranking

Source: lefigaro

All sports articles on 2021-05-08

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