The joy of the Lensois after their success against Bordeaux -
Michel Spingler / AP / SIPA
With three wins in four games, RC Lens is the pleasant surprise of this start to the season in Ligue 1.
Promoted, the Artesian club seduced by its attacking game, its efficient recruits and its irreproachable state of mind
Four games, nine points and a (provisional) place on the Ligue 1 podium. Obviously in Lens, you will not find anyone to tell you that the club expected such a start to the season.
Ultra-logical winner on Saturday from Bordeaux (2-1), the promoted Lensois is clearly the pleasant surprise of this start of the season in Ligue 1. With this third success in a row, the Sang et Or have been breathing confidence for a month.
How did they get there?
Explanations.
(2-1) Racing continues with its 3rd consecutive victory by winning against @girondins! #RCLFCGB #rclens pic.twitter.com/cLJuaBdEWY
- Racing Club de Lens (@RCLens) September 19, 2020
An assertive and assumed offensive game
To sum up the Lensois game, let Jean-Louis Leca speak.
The goalkeeper tells how Franck Haise, the Artesian coach, started the Northerners season before the first match in Nice.
“During the talk, he told us: 'Guys, either we put a bus in front of the goal all season and we pray that it goes well. Or we put quality and we put forward our game" .
This is the philosophy of the coach, the staff and for the moment, things are going well, ”rejoices the Lensois goalkeeper.
Unlike many promoted, Racing is not content to defend by praying not to take a goal and by trying to play the blocks well.
No, Lens is a team that plays.
#Sotoca, #Kakuta and #Ganago, the strong links of RC Lens.
9 points out of 12 possible since the start of the season, what is taken is no longer to be taken.
Yes, the Bordeaux of the day was a poor piquette, but the mood is conquering.
#RCLFCGB pic.twitter.com/jqGsjYkUZk
- Patrick Juillard (@PatrickJuillard) September 19, 2020
Beaten Saturday by the Blood and Gold, Jean-Louis Gasset left the match a little amazed.
“They are very well organized, very aggressive, sure of their game with Kakuta and Ganogo who made the circus.
They were sure of themselves, well physically.
They gave an impression of power that we did not have, ”admits the Bordeaux coach.
A fully assumed forward game.
"I prefer that we continue to move forward, to play, to create opportunities rather than to secure at all costs", recognizes Franck Haise, a Lensois coach who believes, rightly, that his team still lacks too much efficiency despite (already) seven goals scored in four games.
Successful recruitment
They made the Bordeaux defense dance the whole match and overall, they have been doing what they want since the start of the season.
Arrived this summer at RC Lens, Gaël Kakuta and Ignatius Ganogo perfectly symbolize the successful recruitment of the Lensois club.
Trained in Artois but left for Chelsea before even making his professional debut with the Sang et Or, Kakuta is finally making up for lost time with his favorite club.
The ex of Amiens feasts and disgusts his opponents in a playmaker position.
Kakuta is really gold in the bar.
He transformed our game. And what a defensive involvement!
#Rclens #RCLFCGB
- ReMaYe (@ReMaYeSrD) September 19, 2020
With three goals (three penalties) on the clock, the player is also efficient and above all well in his skin.
“Since he's been here he's been happy.
And when a player is happy, it shows on the field especially when he has qualities, ”appreciates Franck Haise.
His friend Ganago, lacking playing time in Nice, also succeeded in his adaptation with three goals in four games.
His slaughter and his pressing have already bent the defenses of Paris, Lorient and Bordeaux, series in progress.
But summing up recruiting to attack would be reductive.
Defensively, Badé, Medina, Clauss, Sylla bring a real plus.
Remains Seko Fofana, the club's most expensive recruit (10 million euros), who has only just made his debut by entering the game against Bordeaux.
“When a team leveled up with rookies bought 1, 2, 5 or 10 million euros, the players who arrive are supposed to be better than those we had before.
Today, we are not in the process of comparing, we realize that the leaders did a great job during the recruitment, ”says Jean-Louis Leca.
A state of mind filled with humility
Promoted to Ligue 1 ten days from the end thanks (or because of) the Covid, RC Lens was in his little shoes before starting the season.
“When you arrive in a championship, you don't really know where to stand.
In our friendly matches, we didn't bring much to reassure us.
Fortunately, we finished the preparation well with a match against Dijon, a L1 team, where we knew we were not behind them, ”says Leca.
The group's awareness undoubtedly started from there.
And the good results only brought a plus.
“We are creating something strong between us.
A dynamic is settling in this group, ”continues the goalkeeper.
Wait 13 years to come back so strong.
Yeah, finally it was worth it #RCLens
- Mechanical Bollaert (@BollaertMecaniq) September 19, 2020
A way of life that delights Franck Haise.
“If I have to put something forward, it's the state of mind of the group.
Steven Fortes, who had not yet played a minute this season, made a big match (against Bordeaux).
And then, in the content and in terms of results, I am also satisfied.
I know that we work well, that we work hard and that there are benchmarks ”, loose the Lensois coach.
Elements which explain the great success of the blood and gold group.
It remains to be seen how long the party can last.
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