Name of Zeus coach Sage! Here we are again in this good old 2001-2002 season! Like an air of deja vu… This Lyon-Lens, at the end of the season, comes to revive for some of us the painful scar of May 4, 2002 when Racing let the title slip away. But times have changed.
Pierre Sage, back on his land, will be keen to finish this exercise in style
Photo CSO
A gloomy evening in 2002
A good number of supporters had taken over the bars of Lens to follow this final of the French championship, the first (and still unique) in history. The suspense was short-lived, after a first goal scored by Sydney Govou in the 8the minute then a second by Philippe Violeau a few minutes later, despite the reduction of Jacek Bak’s score in the 26the. Ironically, it was Pierre Laigle, a pure blood and gold product, who came to seal Lyon’s victory with a blocked strike in the second period. Racing had nevertheless occupied the lead in the championship on 28 occasions. No need for a coach dressed as a mad scientist, nor for time travel in a DeLorean this Sunday evening. There will be no disillusionment of this kind at the end of this 2025-2026 financial year. The players did everything they could.
A final appearance in the championship in Lens colors for Wesley Saïd and Adrien Thomasson
Photo CSO
Diametrically opposed issues
The situation is different today, with this RC Lens which in these 2020s has regained its splendor after a long period of wandering, and an Olympique Lyonnais in search of a national title, for too long seasons for a club of this stature. Racing has nothing left to play, accounting speaking, on this last day. He will have a large part of his attention turned towards the meeting on May 22, against OGC Nice.
The party at Bollaert during the victory against FC Nantes made it possible to celebrate participation in the next Champions League. The Lyonnais, for their part, have moved away from it and will perhaps play it only on their Playstation, to the great pleasure of their Green neighbors. For all supporters of the Capital of Gaul, it would be a major disappointment after an almost unexpected rise in the rankings, where OL fell for a moment to 7e place. We must therefore expect strong opposition from Les Gones. Which obviously raises the question of the identity of the Lens players lined up at Groupama Stadium.
Les Gones will want to join Lensois in the prestigious Champions League
Photo CSO
What forces are present?
It’s hard to imagine the Artesian coach taking unnecessary risks with the executives of his squad. Samson Baidoo’s injury on Wednesday serves as a reminder that the balance of a squad remains fragile. Many players have also been treated in this way recently, particularly among the offensive squad. We can then expect to see a somewhat reorganized team evolve on the Lyon pitch.
Unless Pierre Sage, back on his Rhineland lands, wishes to line up his typical team for a final rehearsal. The defense he chooses, in which Kyllian Antonio and Arthur Masuaku are in the balance, should give a serious indication of the one called upon to start the meeting on Friday evening at the Stade de France. And in any case, there will be no question of selling off this match and distorting the outcome of the championship. This Racing respects the competition. The Lensois coach also recalled the inaugural defeat at Bollaert in August and indicated that he did not want “finish with two defeats against this opponentâ€. Less a question of pride than of rank to maintain. So Doc Sage, what do we do?
/2026/06/09/6a27c753977b8047974741.jpg "Malgré les protestations, le Mexique promet une cérémonie douverture de la Coupe du monde de football dans la paix")
