Lineups, issues, history of confrontations, discover the essential information to remember a few hours before the opposing match RC Lens at PSG on behalf of the 18th day of Ligue 1.
RC Lens ready for the feat?
If PSG is in difficulty on the European scene, the reigning French champion has still not lost a single match in Ligue 1 (13 wins, 4 draws). Nevertheless, the Parisians presented themselves extremely weakened in Bollaert. In addition to the already planned packages of Marquinhos and Ousmane Dembélé, we must also add that of Achraf Hakimi, undoubtedly Luis Enrique’s best element since the start of the season. And even if RC Lens certainly remains outsiders, the recent 32nd final of the Coupe de France, with typical teams on each side, proved that the margin between the two teams could be tiny in a match.
Return of the defense to 5?
In the absence of Kevin Danso, suspended, Jonathan Gradit should therefore take the opportunity to find the starting lineup. Unless the hypothesis of a three-way defense is retained, with Malang Sarr as a basic man. In such a case, Anas Zarouryvery disappointing for a while, could be the big loser from this change of system. Knowing that doubts exist about Jonathan Gradit’s ability to play in a four-man defense and that RC Lens showed good things with a three-man defensive axis in the Coupe de France, this last hypothesis seems to hold water.
Will Still learned lessons from the first two games
“We learned a lot about ourselves from the first two matches. We had time to carefully analyze this Paris team. The first match in Paris, we were a little passive, we watched them a little too much, especially in the first half. Unfortunately, we took a red, which penalized us a little. On the Cup match, we offered content that was good. We missed too many opportunities in transition. We lost these two matches on details. The important thing is to tell ourselves that we can stand up to this kind of team. There are positives to come out of both matches, that’s for sure. »
History: PSG advantage
In 92 meetings in all competitions between the two teams, Paris Saint-Germain is clearly in the lead. More precisely, in terms of record for RC Lens, this translates to 25 wins, 22 draws and 45 defeats. In the league, over the last 11 confrontations, PSG have won seven times, the most recent of which was last November. However, RC Lens have already proven that they can disrupt the capital team’s game plans. Indeed, the last victory of the Artésiens against PSG dates back to January 1, 2023, during a prestigious match won 3-1 in Bollaert.
The latest confrontations:
L1 – 02/11/24 : Paris – Lens : 1-0
L1 – 14/01/2024 : Lens 0 – 2 Paris
-L1 – 26/08/2023 : Paris 3 – 1 Lens (Guilavogui)
L1 – 15/04/2023 : Paris 3 – 1 Lens (Frankowski)
L1 – 01/01/2023 : Lens 3 – 1 Paris (Frankowski, Openda, Claude-Maurice)
RC LENS – PSG
18th day of Ligue 1
Saturday January 18, 5 p.m.
Stade Bollaert-Delelis, Lens
Photo credits: Philippe Lecoeur/FEP/Icon Sport
