After a contentious penalty and a lightning counterattack in favor of Lille, the meeting between RC Lens and LOSC ended in a Lille victory (0-2) at Bollaert. Despite a well-negotiated first period, RC Lens lost at home in added time. Victims of a lack of efficiency, the Lensois can blame themselves. Discover nos tops et nos flops at the end of this meeting counting for the 9th day of Ligue 1.
The tops
A good first half with control of the ball on the Lens side
The match started well for the Lensois with a defensive solidity that we know from them. But also control of possession allowing Will Still's men to create chances. The team wins 60% of its duels in the first quarter of an hour and maintains possession of the ball (57%). The Lensois deprive their opponents of the ball as much as possible. Lens gradually sets up its game and takes precedence over the Mastiffs. The conservation phases continue, Lens is relatively little exposed to Lille counterattacks and makes good defensive withdrawals. At half-time, RC Lens seemed ahead in terms of intentions and pressure. A reassuring first act but without a conclusion.
The flops
RC Lens, opportunities but a cruel lack of efficiency
The problem is becoming recurring in Lens. The opportunities are not concluded sufficiently. Of the 11 strikes from the Artésiens, four were on target but none ended up in the back of the LOSC cages. The first opportunity for RC Lens comes very quickly through Anass Zaroury who strikes but comes up against Lucas Chevalier (4′). It's then M'Bala Nzola who finds himself in a dangerous position but cannot regain the ball (6'). New Lens opportunity with the projection of Adrien Thomasson following a deviation from Nzola. The midfielder fails to recover the ball (23′), caught by Alexsandro. Lens' biggest opportunity comes with Florian Sotoca's cross to Nzola who narrowly misses taking the lead and reversing the course of the match.
The chances follow one another but do not find the net. RC Lens can be consumed by regrets. The Mastiffs denied Lensois seven goal chances throughout the entire game. With an xG of 0.87 in this meeting, Lens continued on its poor offensive momentum. Nine goals scored in as many days and difficulty finding the reference player in attack capable of raising the team's offensive level.
Nicolas CASTEL-MARÉCHAL
Photo credits: Anthony Dibon/Icon Sport
