We present to you the match of the season. Well almost, because after the postponement and the UNFP suit and tie Ligue 1 trophies, this Lens-Paris SG looks more like an “All star game”, just for fun. Let’s analyze the match with the former PSG journalistic expert Arnaud Hermant, who became a referent for Paris FC The Team a you Parisian.
Photo CSO
This RCL-PSG has a particular, bittersweet flavor. The future winner of Ligue 1, almost crowned, faces his runner-up at Bollaert-Delelis a month after his initially scheduled date, in a duel at the top between two teams who have long been contenders for the title. A cleaver match which definitely turned into a bellows match. The controversy surrounding a postponement decided almost unilaterally, without the agreement of Racing, has not completely subsided. The fault lies with an LFP which favors European clubs in their quest for the title under the blue star-spangled banner. Basically, the calendar is tailor-made for a PSG which has struggled for years to get past the semi-finals of this Champions League. This season, the League decided to push the vice to the limit by scuttling what could be the real finale of the season, harakiri on its own product.
“The postponement of the match, a double-edged controversy”
For our interlocutor of the day, Arnaud Hermant, “The history of the controversy is double-edged. It is obvious that given the season, this postponement makes this match lose some flavor. Afterwards, Paris is not officially champion, which means that if Lens had not lost a few points along the way, I am thinking in particular of Brest, then this match on May 13 would still have a very particular stake. Furthermore, the modification of the regulations of the Professional League, to allow matches of European clubs to be postponed, was recorded and validated unanimously by the board of directors, in which Joseph Oughourlian had his full place.
It’s difficult today not to come across as a bad player by contesting a measure that you yourself have approved. The postponement of a Brest-Strasbourg, the Alsatians being in the running for the Conference League, is also a masterstroke to show that everyone is concerned by the measure, and not just PSG. “What definitively validated the postponement, without Lens being able to say anything about it, is the request from Strasbourg which undermines the argument of favoritismâ€notes the reporter of The Team. This remains a hard blow for sport, one against the League’s side which shatters its own window in a chaotic financial context.
Nasser against Joseph, David against Goliath
Lens and Paris are a bit like two opposites confronting each other. Even two visions of the world that compare. This postponement decision is symptomatic of a system created by and for PSG, with Nasser Al-Khelaifi style. “The Qatari president has a lot of power, already through his financial power, but also, built over the years, political power in professional football, with several central roles in the board of the LFP, boss of the Ligue 1 broadcaster, member of the executive council of UEFA… He is everywhere today, and enjoys of a large size making itself indispensable. That being said, the conflict of interest is not new and no one was too embarrassed at the time not so long ago, in Lens included, when Qatar (via Bein Sport) poured hundreds of millions into the championship and the clubs.
“What can be embarrassing is that today criticism comes when the coffers are empty. And although we may attribute excessive influence of the Qatari president to the LFP, Nasser has little to do with the choice of Mediapro, for example. Furthermore, Nasser was able to charm a large number of club presidents. He has a particular interpersonal skills, an attractive and hospitable man who does not hesitate to invite his colleagues to VIP Champions League matches. » It’s not worth the Sensas fries, but it’s certainly enough to please Olivier Létang, a mastiff who has become strangely docile in the face of the president of a normally rival club.
On the other side of the ring, Joseph Oughourlian is the outsider, a financier who made it on his own to have real influence in the worlds of business and football. Problem: Joseph doesn’t seem interested in the boxes at the Parc des Princes, and seems much more worried about the direction taken by the country’s professional football. “The majority shareholder of the RCL worked discreetly but surely to be in the opposition and anticipated the failure of French football. ‘He has seen before,’ as Michel Platini might say.” This ability of the founder of Amber Capital to anticipate problems has allowed Racing to be financially healthy, while offering sporting quality opposition, during two seasons including this one. Racing supporters can only admire the audacity with which the shareholder leads Racing, which like him, is close to the summits and PSG.
A match with stakes, all the same
The context is very particular, but this Lens-PSG remains an interesting match to play. Any professional club, and any competitor, must want to maintain its rank, with such a poster, whatever happens. Racing has the chance to prove that it has the talent to compete with this stratospheric French champion, and can postpone its new coronation to the last day. It is also and above all an interesting confrontation to prepare for a final. A luxury as a preparation match.
For Arnaud Hermant, “If Lens wins, they will have competed until the end. Beating Paris means taking revenge on the postponement affair, on the first leg, and proving that this rivalry exists until the end. Because no, Paris will not be able to officially celebrate its coronation in Ligue 1 yet. On the field side, PSG will surely turn things around, even if we do not know if PSG will not field a flagship team. The strength of Lui Enrique, who considers Paris “99.9% champions” is to have been able to turn his last seasons around. On the field, after the UNFP trophies, it also remains a great gala match with the flagship players of the championship. For the prediction, I would say 1 to 1, even if I am bad at predictions. » Don’t worry Arnaud, at CSO too, we have our quota of wooden tipsters.
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Let us thank Arnaud Hermant for his responsiveness, his obvious knowledge of professional football and his sympathy. We will surely meet him again to discuss with him the other Paris, FC, which he has now followed assiduously since this season after having been close to PSG for 23 years. Good match Arnaud, thank you and see you soon on Culture Sang et or. Go Lens!
