Quite far superior to its evening opponent, RC Lens defeated Reims (0-2) by relying on an omnipresent Adrien Thomasson and renewed efficiency on both surfaces. From 4 to 8, discover our ratings after this match on the 13th day of Ligue 1.
Man of the Match
What if it was him, the man of the first Lensois quarter? On this Friday evening, Adrien Thomasson (8) is in any case untouchable. As in every match, he was the driving force for RC Lens and set the tone from the start with his destruction, his volume and his aggressiveness. In total, the midfielder won 13 duels (!) out of 21 contested, contributing both in the high pressing phases and in the protection of his area. The icing on the cake, he completes his performance with a goal as important as it is sublime, by linking up well in a half-volley to put RC Lens on the right track (0-1, 23′). A match in the form of confirmation.
The satisfactions
In perpetual competition with David Pereira da Costa and Anass Zaroury, Angelo Fulgini (6) undoubtedly scored big points in Reims. Still number 10, he nevertheless had slightly different benchmarks with the tactical reorganization of RC Lens into 4-2-3-1. Without being disturbed, quite the contrary. Very present in his team's defensive grid by coming to press alongside M'Bala Nzola, he is also a decisive passer for the Angolan on the break goal which seals the victory (0-2, 61'). Technical leader until leaving for the energetic Hamzat Ojediran (76′).
He had to prove that he was not playing ” moon boots “. Criticized in recent days for its lack of technical finesse in finishing, M'Bala Love (6) long believed to comfort his detractors with his improbable face-to-face failure with a very poorly executed dive (59′), after less obvious first attempts (3′, 55′). However, he was quick to react by showing his power in the area before deceiving Yehvann Diouf (0-2, 61′), while having shown his knowledge of movements and his good delivery game – despite a certain waste punctual technique – during the meeting.
Little contributed, Brice Samba (6) responded when necessary. Present on the Reims centers (10′, 12′), he especially shone on his line by being reactive on the pivotal strike from Keito Nakamura (41′) and by managing well his face-to-face against Junya Ito (73 ′). Solid and leader of a rearguard with renewed strength, he set the record straight after a disappointing performance against OM.
Entered at half-time in place of Andy Diouf (5) interesting in sequences but on the verge of expulsion before the break, Neil El Aynaoui (6) has well replaced the usual holder. Through his dynamism, his activity in recovery, his taking of responsibilities in construction and his projections, the Moroccan allowed RC Lens to establish its domination in the midfield by being one of the hubs of the Sang et Or (42 touches in 45 minutes).
The disappointment
While we thought he was a left piston, like against Lille, Anas Zaroury (4) was ultimately a left winger in the Lensois 4-2-3-1. A priori ideal conditions to best express his creativity and his capacity for elimination, but which the Moroccan was unable to display over time. If he started the match quite actively, making differences with the ball (3′, 6′, 14′) and being impactful in the pressing, he quickly faded away by going through the match like a soul in barely until his exit for Deiver Machado (78′), victim of this tactical reorganization.
Match notes:
Samba (6) – Frankowski (6), Danso (6), Khusanov (5), Medina (6) – Thomasson (8), Diouf (5) then El Aynaoui (6) – Zaroury (4), Fulgini (6), Labeau-Lascary (5) – Nzola (6)
Enzo PAILOT
Photo credits: Baptiste Fernandez/Icon Sport
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