The duel between Lens and Nantes, this Friday (8:45 PM), as the opener of the 33rd day of Ligue 1, can decide the future of both clubs next season. One aims for a direct qualification in the Champions League, while the other dreams of a miracle to save themselves.
Two teams, two different stories. Scheduled this Friday (8:45 PM), the opening match of the 33rd day of Ligue 1 between RC Lens and FC Nantes presents a burning double stake. On one side, the Sang et Or are close to securing an unexpected position at the beginning of the season, while on the other side, the Canaries are on the edge of a precipice. The calculations are simple: Racing only needs one point to secure their ticket for the league phase of the next Champions League.
Although slowing down in recent weeks, Pierre Sage’s men, solid runners-up to PSG, have a four-point lead over OL (3rd), six points over Lille (4th), and eight points over Rennes (5th). Unlike their pursuers, they still have three matches ahead in the championship, including the famous postponed match against PSG on May 13, then a clash against Lyon on May 17. The idea for Lens is to secure their place in the Champions League as soon as possible to focus serenely on their French Cup final against Nice on May 22.
“We have the absolute duty to win to consolidate our second position because considering the season we are experiencing together, it is out of the question to consider any other position than the second, even if we still have to keep an eye on aiming higher,” Pierre Sage emphasized this week. Nantes’ situation is obviously very different.
Nantes clings to a miracle
Revitalized by their win against OM (3-0) last Saturday, but also cooled down by Auxerre’s victory against Angers (3-1), Matthis Abline’s teammates have no choice: they absolutely must win at Bollaert to avoid relegation to Ligue 2 as early as tonight. In case of success, they will then have to hope for a misstep from AJA on Sunday against Nice. With two days left, FCN, stuck in 17th place, is still five points behind the play-off spot with a significantly unfavorable goal difference (-13 for Auxerre, -22 for Nantes).
In other words, the mission is almost impossible, and the fans are already preparing to experience their third descent in history. The second under the era of Waldemar Kita. “If we win this type of match, a lot of things can happen,” Vahid Halilhodzic wants to stay positive, believing he would have achieved this survival if he had returned to the club earlier in the season. “We have to achieve this… monumental feat. I don’t know what adjective I can use to highlight this potential victory.”
One last statistic: Nantes has not won at Lens since… March 4, 2013. Both teams were in Ligue 2 at that time, and the visitors won in suspense (2-1) with a goal from Fabrice Pancrate.
Lens directly qualifies for the Champions League this Friday if:
– They win or draw against Nantes
Nantes will be relegated to Ligue 2 this Friday if:
– They do not win against Lens
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