Sporting, the bane of French clubs, crushes Lens at Bollaert

Inside the familiar confines of the Bollaert stadium, the supporters of Racing Club de Lens were hoping to extend the euphoria that began in Prague, where they had qualified for the Champions League. Instead, they saw Sporting, feared by the French clubs, impose their game and take the advantage.

A opponent feared by the French

Sporting rarely appears in the top tier of European clubs, but it has established itself as a true bogeyman for French teams. After LOSC, Olympique de Marseille and even the great Paris Saint‑Germain of Luis Enrique, the Lens side found themselves trapped by the Portuguese club, which has amassed seven wins in its last nine European matches against French clubs.

Sporting's realism decimates the Lens side

The Sang et Or started the match well, with a special chance for Florian Thauvin that saw the curled shot of the 2018 World Cup champion saved by goalkeeper Pereira. Sporting then imposed a false rhythm, patiently weaving its web until creating the opening.

RC Lens banks on Eddie Howe, a Premier League success, for the Sang et Or

The decisive moment came thanks to Luis Suarez, former scourge of French clubs. After finding the back of the net against PSG the previous season, he scored again at Bollaert, taking advantage of a precise cross from Irankunda to deliver the first goal (0‑1, 22nd).

A second half rich in chances

Yannick Cahuzac’s men tried to respond, especially at the end of the first half, but Ivanovic (34th) and Haidara (36th) remained ineffective. The second act was marked by a succession of clear chances: Simoes (61st) replied to Haidara (60th) and Edouard (62nd) in a very lively sequence.

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Sporting sealed their success in the 74th minute, when Doumbia took advantage of a reckless foray by Risser to score the second goal (0‑2). Frustration engulfed Lens, who will have to answer Bruges the following week.