A week after a convincing victory against OM, Lens showed character to offer the scalp of Reims this Friday at the opening of the 35th day of Ligue 1 (2-1). The Sang & Or remain second and come back to three points behind PSG.
Lens is still going strong at home. For their 18th match of the season at Bollaert, the Sang & Or offered a stunning scenario to their supporters to win 2-1 against Reims at the start of the 35th day of Ligue 1. A victory acquired in numerical inferiority which allows the Lensois to keep their second place, while putting pressure on Paris, which is only three points away.
>> Relive Lens-Reims (2-1)
A history of penalties
In the almost impregnable fortress of Bollaert – where only Nice has won this season – the Lensois were quickly cooled in the torrential rain from the North. After an observation round in the first quarter of an hour, the meeting changed to a penalty awarded to Stade de Reims after a push from Kévin Danso on Marshall Munetsi. A gesture punished with a red card and the 19th goal from Folarin Balogun to open the scoring (0-1, 20th). Despite the numerical inferiority, Franck Haise did not change his plans and stayed with a four-man defense.
In a quieter enclosure – and not only because of the absence of two groups of supporters – the Sang et Or took the blow, leaving the Rémois to multiply the chances (Ito, Flips) without succeeding in making the break, before equalize before the break, once again on a penalty from Przemysław Frankowski (1-1, 40th). A small consolation in a meeting punctuated by the faults and the whistles of Jérémie Pignard.
Sixth goal for Fofana
Despite the numerical inferiority, the RCL regained the hair of the beast on the return from the locker room and took the advantage thanks to Seko Fofana, author of a spectacular breakthrough in the heart of the Reims defense, concluded with a low shot -de-terre at the entrance to the surface (2-1, 55th). A strong symbol, the Lensois captain scored Racing’s 2,000th goal at Bollaert in Ligue 1.
Despite the advantage acquired, the second in the championship suffered in the last minutes against the onslaught of Reims. Folarin Balogun thought he got a penalty – finally canceled after checking the VAR – and the corners followed one another in front of Brice Samba’s cage. Without success.
In pain, the Northerners sign their 16th victory of the season at home. A capital success for Lens, which takes a five-point lead over OM, which will host Angers on Sunday evening. The dolphin is also within three points of PSG, which hosts Ajaccio on Saturday, and is getting closer to a return to the Champions League. A first since 2002.