The RC Lens lost 1-0 to Bollaert this Sunday against a Toulouse team which was able to seize one of its rare opportunities to win (Aboukhlal penalty), 11 against 10 after the expulsion of David Pereira Da Costa at playing time.
Carles Martinez Novell knew that his team could not win without suffering anyway. He was completely satisfied at the end of the meeting:
« We knew it would be very hard here. It’s an incredible atmosphere here. I want to congratulate my team because they knew how to stay focused throughout the match. From the 2nd period onwards, we were better. The red helped us, but we knew how to stay as a team and work together. It’s very positive for us. In the first minutes, we wanted but we couldn’t… It was a question of timing. Then we managed to understand the game better. We were able to control the ball better afterwards. If we look at possession, Lens had more of the ball, they were able to get closer to our line, but on clear chances, it was more balanced. It was very hard but I am very proud. This victory allows us to resume our momentum for 2024. We believe in ourselves and we feel that our group believes in itself, in its ability to be competitive. »
Belgium
