Lens abandons its invincibility against a PSV Eindhoven this time superior

The Lensois will surely only get frustration from this. On the pitch of PSV Eindhoven, Wednesday November 8, the Artésiens abandoned their unbeaten streak in the Champions League, and decisive points in the quest for qualification to the next round (1-0).

The first leg at the Bollaert-Delelis stadium, which ended in a draw (1-1), had already highlighted signs of defensive weakness in the ranks of the Sang et Or. Led from the start, as in the three previous matches in competition, the Lensois will not have succeeded this time in reversing the trend, too much to their disadvantage.

In a fiery Philips stadium, despite the pouring rain, the captain of the Dutch team, Luuk de Jong, quickly opened hostilities, with an unstoppable blast of his helmet (12^e), offered on a cross from Belgian international Johan Bakayoko, untenable from the first seconds of the match.

What followed was a flood of missed opportunities and a distribution of warnings. Ten in total, including eight for the Lensois, and especially two addressed consecutively to Morgan Guilavogui, sent off in added time (90^e+2). The end of the first period, a harbinger of nervousness on the pitch, was already ending, in a tense atmosphere.

No longer in spirit after returning from the locker room, the Sang et Or ended up regaining some color after the first quarter of an hour. No clear opportunity, but dangerous situations. Przemyslaw Frankowski crossed for Deiver Machado at the far post, who slipped before being able to resume (60^e). While the attackers tried their hand at shots, often blocked, sometimes off target.

“We gave everything, in our image”

But faced with a defense that no longer had the right to make mistakes, Franck Haise’s central three having received a yellow card, PSV did not allow the law to be dictated for long. Johan Bakayoko sounded the revolt. On his right side, the young 20-year-old Belgian made the Artesian rearguard dizzy.

At the 70^e minute, the PSV right winger made several Lensois twirl, before being caught by the defensive patrol, very close to Samba. Four minutes later, he stood out with a good hook, then a left shot which sought the opposite corner. At the end of the match, if Hirving Lozano had not (voluntarily?) forgotten him, he would have presented himself in a very advantageous position against the French goalkeeper.

Finally, in terms of courage, it was Franck Haise’s men who finished the strongest. “We gave everything, in our image, summed up the coach with a smile. With a lot of good things, and what we lack at the highest level, this accuracy, but here we are Lens! »

Pretty well summed up, since on a soaked lawn, the pitch transformed into an ice rink, the Northerners played courageously. And it could have paid off. Following a good combination in the Dutch area, Morgan Guilavogui found the post from close range, slightly reminiscent of André-Pierre Gignac’s demons in the Euro 2016 final. Then, from a corner in added time , Kévin Danso rose to place a header saved by a Dutch knee. This accuracy that Haise spoke of…

“We came up against a good team but we have regrets because I think we could have brought home a draw, regretted Florian Sotoca, at the microphone of Canal+. There’s this post at the end and the corner with Kev (Kevin Danso). It doesn’t matter, we knew it, that’s how it is. »

Bring back points for Arsenal

In pain, and with for the first time in their European season, the bitter taste of defeat in the mouth, the Sang et Or thus leave second place in group B, in favor of their evening opponent. In third position (with 5 points), Franck Haise and his men are not compromising their European future, the doors to the Europa League – but also the Champions League – are still open.

The start should come on November 29, against the Arsenal Gunners (1^er, with 9 points), which the Artésiens previously beat (2-1). A decisive match, and probably stormy, before being decided on their fate on December 12, when they host Sevilla FC, for their last meeting of the group stage.

Until then, the Lensois must now turn to the national championship, where a capital clash awaits them, Sunday November 12, against Olympique de Marseille. Currently at 10^e place in Ligue 1, after a failed start, Racing must get back on track and perhaps come back to earth, to continue dreaming of great European evenings.