The Lensois will not join Liverpool. Lens, which might become the first team since the Reds in the 2019/2020 season to win eleven league matches in a row, was surprised by OGC Nice (0-1). The Niçois are now undefeated for twelve matches in Ligue 1, their last defeat dating from January 2 in Rennes (1-2). Les Artésiens gave up their place as PSG runner-up to Olympique de Marseille, winner of Nantes a little earlier in the evening (2-0).
Franck Haise fell on as hard as him. In a new scheme, a 5-4-1 modular in 4-5-1 in the transition phase, the OGC Nice version Didier Digard thwarted Lens’ plans. From the start of the match, the very high positioning of the Côte d’Azur side, Antoine Mendy and Jordan Lotomba, complicated the Lensoise ball outings. Dominated for the first time in width, the Lensois tried to find Seko Fofana in the middle. But the activity of Khéphren Thuram, who was celebrating his 100 Ligue 1 matches, did not allow the Ivorian midfielder to have the same hold on the game as usual.
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In an injury-ridden start to the match, with the exits of Hicham Boudaoui (22nd) and Massadio Haïdara (24th), it was Antoine Mendy who stood out first. Found in the area in the 11th minute, the 18-year-old defender came up once morest Brice Samba, still as decisive in the Lensois goals. His Nice counterpart, Kasper Schmeichel, in a state of grace for several meetings, was quick to answer him. Late on Wesley Saïd, the Dane was dribbled before getting up immediately and then diving into the feet of the striker (34th). Apart from these two occasions, the opportunities were rare in a first period where the two teams had their highlight without managing to capitalize.
As soon as they returned from the locker room, Didier Digard’s men showed themselves to be sharper. First through Lomtomba, but the Niçois, found in the area, missed his control (54th), then by Gaëtan Laborde, then, who, on a corner, found the way to the nets at once header at the far post (1-0, 58th). In the process, Seko Fofana, once more, tried 20 meters. The strike of the Ivorian crashed on the crossbar (66th). Led, Frank Haise then approached his bench and called his subersubs: Florian Sotoca and Loïs Openda. The two entrants brought more depth to the Lensois game. Twice, the Belgian, on his left side, made the difference, but neither Fofana (67th) nor Sotoca (83rd), managed to conclude.
Unable to find the solution, Lens was squeezed by an ultra-disciplined Nice and in a choppy end to the match, Gaëtan Laborde missed the match point (90th + 1). The French Riviera ended Lens’ 11-game winning streak at Bollaert in Ligue 1 and are now 8th in the standings, nine points behind Rennes. This weekend, on behalf of the 22nd day, the Artésiens travel to Brest while Nice will challenge OM at the Vélodrome.
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