Lens, dolphin of Paris SG in Ligue 1, was hooked in Nice (0-0) Thursday evening at the end of the 16th day of the championship, and now points to seven units of the Parisian leader in the classification.
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Calendar and results Ligue 1
League 1 standings
If this draw does not help either of the two teams, which are stagnating in the standings (2nd for Lens, and 9th for Nice), the two coaches will find positive points for this evening of post-World Cup recovery.
Lens remains undefeated for the sixth meeting in a row and can boast a record of 16 points out of 18 before receiving Kylian Mbappé and Paris SG, in a top match, next Sunday, January 1, during the 17th daytime.
The Niçois, for their part, also continue their series without losing.
They are now seven in Ligue 1 (three wins and four draws, since the 2-1 defeat at the Parc des Princes on October 1).
They, who are aiming for Europe at the end of the season, will still have a lot to do next Monday evening in Rennes.
Faced with the dolphins of L1, whose debauchery of energy is praised and highlighted, the Niçois of Lucien Favre had the obligation to show physical response.
The meeting thus began in an intense way.
It continued at a high pace throughout the first period.
From the start, Jonathan Gradit hit next (6th), demonstrating the northern intentions.
Nice, tossed about but solid, sought to counter.
Kasper Schmeichel's clearance found a very combative Gaëtan Laborde, who launched Nicolas Pépé.
If the attempt of the ex-Lillois stumbled on the left foot in extension of Brice Samba (8th), the Aiglons then showed that they would be complicated to play.
What followed was a long Lensoise domination.
Schmeichel threw himself into the feet of the excellent Ghanaian midfielder Salis Abdul Samed (10th).
Then, on a handball from the Riviera goalkeeper following a powerful shot from Frankowski, Sotoka opened the scoring.
But Seko Fofana, at the start of the action, was in an illicit position (21st).
Despite the opposing waves, Pépé, on a new counter, again forced Samba to make a very high-flying save (26th).
But beaming in the middle, Abdul Samed started the last series of Lensoise attacks.
Schmeichel was good on the incursion of the Ghanaian (31st).
Then, Wesley Saïd saw his shot deflected for a corner (38th).
After the break, Nice was more enterprising.
Pépé, once again launched by Laborde in rapid transition, forgot to hit (49th).
As for Hicham Boudaoui, his attempt was deflected for a corner (55th).
Franck Haise therefore decided to change the men's position in his 3-4-3.
Midfielder Jean Onana has been replaced by young Belgian international Loïs Openda.
Fofana then went down a notch in the middle (57th).
But, even with two new changes (64th), the dynamic has not resumed for the Blood and Gold.
The debates are balanced.
Before leaving, replaced by Sofiane Diop (71st), Ross Barkley even had two great opportunities (61st and 65th).
Without being decisive, like all actors...