In an incandescent and impregnable Bollaert stadium, the Blood and Gold signed a new reference match to extinguish OM and apply, now very seriously, for a direct qualification for the next Champions League.

This 15th home win this season in 17 matches was tense, intense, sometimes without rhythm or close to degenerating... But after 90 minutes, the conclusion is clear: the Lensois seem to have everything to keep their place as dolphin by the end of the season.

They now have two points ahead of rivals Marseille, and only three less than Paris SG, leaders stuck in a new crisis before going to Troyes on Sunday (20:45), without Lionel Messi, dismissed by the management after an unauthorized trip to Saudi Arabia.

The goals in Bollaert were scored by two strong men of the Lense squad: Seko Fofana with a powerful distant strike (42nd) and Loïs Openda with a fatal header (60th). Entering the game, Dimitri Payet reduced the score a little too late (88th).

Openda had already been decisive at the end of April during the demonstration against Monaco (3-0), with a double. Will a final 2nd place, with the C1 at the key, be enough to convince him to stay in the North next season?

Opposite, the comparison with Alexis Sanchez did not last long: the Chilean, diminished, left his place at half-time.

Striker Lois Openda (r) scores the 2nd goal against Marseille, on May 6, 2023 at the Bollaert © stadium DENIS CHARLET / AFP

Marseille is now forced to do without fault, while hoping for a misstep Lensois by the end of the season, to regain its second place.

The podium, however, seems secure, because the contenders stalled, behind.

Nice blows

Lille, indeed, dreamed of climbing provisionally to 4th place, synonymous with qualification for the Europa League, but Losc quickly disappointed Reims (1-0), the fault of countless offensive blunders and a goal from Reims by Marshall Munetsi (21st).

The Northerners remain fifth in the Championship with 59 points, a week before a decisive duel in Monaco, the current 4th who travels Sunday to Angers (13:00), already relegated.

Nice Gaëtan Laborde (r) against Rennes' Lesley Ugochukwu, on May 6, 2023 at the Bollaert © stadium Valery HACHE / AFP

A little earlier, Stade Rennais was also very clumsy on the lawn of Nice (2-1). Only Benjamin Bourigeaud found the fault of a powerful strike (78th), but it was too late, the duo Gaëtan Laborde - Terem Moffi having distinguished themselves (50th, 72nd) to win the first victory at home of Nice since February 10.

With 51 points, the Aiglons are eighth and return to five points of their opponents of the evening, sixth and disappointed.

"Even if the failures are repetitive and begin to weigh, nothing is done," said Bruno Genesio, the Rennes coach, aware of being under the threat of Lyon, who can return to Rennes in case of success against Montpellier on Sunday (17:05).

But only the top five places offer a ticket to a European competition next season.

On Sunday, it will also be a question of maintenance: Troyes and Ajaccio risk being relegated from this 34th day.

© 2023 AFP