There is the desire to go always further, always higher.
And the fear of falling, precisely, from above.
According to his coach, Franck Haise, RC Lens had "
a champion dynamic
" after 15 days, when he stuck to the coattails of PSG.
There was "
the desire to play Europe
", recognized Haise, appointed to the Lensois bench in February 2020, while the club was still in Ligue 2.
To discover
From birth under the bombs to playing Nantes, the history of FC Nantes
The Sang et Or have grilled the stages, and here they are faced with a dilemma.
Luxury, certainly, but a dilemma: assume the ambition worthy of a 4th in Ligue 1 two points from 2nd, Marseille, or cultivate, again, this philosophy of Petit Poucet which exceeds expectations.
Ambition does not diminish.
Franck Haise, RC Lens coach
The first option is tempting, by necessity.
If the artesian team has the best defense in Ligue 1 (20 goals conceded in 25 matches), it also plays a shimmering game, as for two years and its return to the elite.
So far, she has been rewarded with two places of 7th in L1.
In 2021, satisfaction was full.
In 2022, frustration was pointing the tip of his nose.
"
Ambition is not shrinking
," planted Haise after the round of 16 of the Coupe de France in Lorient on February 9 (1-1, 2-4 on penalties).
Implied: if Lens blocks in the league, why not take, like Nantes, its opponent in the quarterfinals this Wednesday (6.15 p.m.) and defending champion, the cut shortcut?
Perilous week?
Rather 'exciting' for Haise
It is that there is enough to salivate, in the North, at the mention of the Coupe de France, a trophy which is missing from the Lensois record (three defeats in the final in 1948, 1975 and 1998).
“
It's not an additional motivation,
refuted Haise.
The Coupe de France is an important motivation in itself.
It's a magnificent trophy, and emotions to live.
“It is also a one-way ticket for the next Europa League, the minimum so that the Sang et Or are no longer forced to let go of their best players at each transfer window (Badé, Clauss, Wooh, Doucouré, Kalimuendo …).
Franck Haise, RC Lens coach since February 2020. Frédéric Chambert / PANORAMIC
With a lower budget, 10th in Ligue 1, Lens gives the impression of having everything to gain.
But his situation at the moment T means that he also has a lot to lose.
After a cutthroat match in the Coupe de France, Lens will receive Lille on Saturday (5 p.m.) in a boiling derby in essence, spiced up by the fact that Lille, 6th, is only six points behind.
"
It's an exciting week
," Haise said positively this week at a press conference.
The glass half full theory.
Headwinds for Lens as for Nantes
Still, despite the 22 points that separate Lens and Nantes in the L1 standings, the quarter Beaujoire expects may not be so unbalanced as that.
Lens is going through a turbulent period as the podium held out its arms: only one victory in the last 6 league matches.
And it was against … Nantes, February 19 (3-1).
SEE ALSO –
Florent Mollet's nice goal with Nantes against Lens on February 19 (3-1)
“
It will be a very different match (this Wednesday)
”, recalled Haise, aware that Antoine Kombouaré had rotated for a meeting located in the middle of the double confrontation against Juventus, in the Europa League, which ended in heavy disillusionment.
But if Lens is not at its best, what about the Canaries?
The Italian slap received at home last Thursday (0-3) was not mopped up in the derby against Rennes on Sunday (0-1).
Nantes, unlike Lens, can really lose everything, with 7 points ahead of Ajaccio, first relegation.
In Loire-Atlantique, the cut is not a shortcut or a bonus, but a breath of fresh air.
A third defeat at home in a week would stain, especially since it is not at Paris Saint-Germain on Saturday (9 p.m.) that Nantes imagines rebounding.
The seats of Beaujoire will be empty
The stakes are scattered in Lens as in Nantes, and the uncertainty of the championship only increases the fever of the Coupe de France, which will however be showered behind closed doors at La Beaujoire.
Nantes had been sanctioned last May after the use of smoke bombs by its supporters during the final against Nice (0-1), and had not yet played at home in the Coupe de France since.
“
On the preparation, (the camera) does not play, judged Franck Haise.
On the match, we know from experience that the refereeing had been a little different at the time behind closed doors
(following the Covid-19 pandemic, editor's note)
.
It whistled a lot and quickly.
“A very specific point which does not escape the eye of the Lensois coach.
Because to settle in the big leagues, you have to have an eye for detail.