Lens (AFP)

In a molten Bollaert-Delelis stadium for the return of the fans, RC Lens snatched the draw (2-2) against Saint-Etienne after being led twice on Sunday for the second day of L1.

It had been more than 10 years since the Sang et Or cauldron had been so abundantly stocked for a First Division match and the more than 35,000 Lensois supporters have lived up to their reputation.

Despite the first Saint Etienne goal from Wahbi Khazri after only a few seconds of play and the second signed Denis Bouanga on his return from the locker room (52nd), the Artesian fans have never stopped pushing their team in a fantastic atmosphere.

The stadium roared during the equalizations of Ignatus Ganago (36th) and Seko Fofana (78th) and paid a vibrant tribute to his heroes at the end of the match.

Cameroonian striker from Lens, Igniatius Knepe Ganapo, after equalizing against Saint-Etienne at home, on Matchday 2 of L1, August 15, 2021 at Stade Bollaert-Delelis FRANCOIS LO PRESTI AFP

Very enthusiastic, Franck Haise's players sometimes lacked technical accuracy and left too much space for the disciplined Greens, who took advantage of these defensive largesse but who ended up cracking at the entrance of the last quarter of an hour.

Both teams recorded their second draw of the season and are in the middle of the league table after two matchdays.

Like the rival Lille on Saturday against Nice (0-4), the RCL also conceded a goal in the first minute of play. But by scoring after only 19 seconds of a crossed strike with the left foot, Khazri did better than Dolberg, who took 55 to open the scoring.

The Stéphanois scored the fastest goal in L1 since that of Bordeaux's Valentin Vada against Toulouse on January 21, 2017 (14 seconds).

The joy of the Tunisian midfielder of Saint-Etienne Wahbi Khazri (d), after opening the scoring against Lens, during the 2nd day of L1, August 15, 2021 at the Stade Bollaert-Delelis FRANCOIS LO PRESTI AFP

- Fofana raises the stadium -

But unlike Losc, which sank after this early goal, the Blood and Gold immediately raised their heads, carried by their incredible audience who were not even cooled by the failed start of their heroes.

Thus, Ganago achieved an acrobatic return (3rd) and Gaël Kakuta tried his luck from afar (4th), but they failed to frame their attempts.

Then Seko Fofana was hampered in extremis by Timothée Kolodziejczak and Saïdou Sow as he was about to strike in the penalty area (26th), while Florian Sotoca sent his volley to the side (32nd).

Logically, the Lensois managed to equalize by Ganago, who placed a nice uncrossed header on a cross from Jonathan Clauss (1-1, 36th) and made the Bollaert-Delelis stadium vibrate with pleasure.

Returning from the locker room, the Greens regained the advantage thanks to Bouanga: served in the box by Kolodziejczak, the striker eliminated Christopher Wooh and pierced Jean-Louis Leca closely (1-2, 52nd).

Despite a strike from Kakuta rejected by Etienne Green (60th), the Artesians, less sharp after the break, struggled to be dangerous despite the loud encouragement of their fans.

And it was when they seemed without a solution against the well-established Stéphanois that the Lensois managed to equalize a second time: Przemyslaw Frankowski, the Polish rookie who had just returned, served in withdrawal Fofana, whose pivot strike got the whole stadium up (2-2, 78th).

The joy of the Ivorian midfielder of Lens Seko Fofana, after having equalized (2-2) at home against Saint-Etienne, during the second day of L1, August 15, 2021 at the Stade Bollaert-Delelis FRANCOIS LO PRESTI AFP

The Sang et Or pushed to the end but Green remained vigilant by repelling the last two shots from Fofana (90th + 1) and Cheikh Doucouré (90th + 3).

© 2021 AFP