Paris Saint-Germain and Lens faced off this Wednesday at the Stade Bollaert in a rescheduled match from Matchday 29 of the 2025-2026 Ligue 1 season. The match ended in a 2-0 victory for PSG. After the game, Lens coach Pierre Sage spoke at a press conference.
Sage: “We deserved better than this defeat after such a performance.”
“What are your feelings: frustration?”
“No, not frustration, but disappointment. The players weren’t rewarded for playing such a good match. We deserved better than this defeat after such a performance. The scoreline is very unfair.”
Sage: “We have convictions and confidence, and these are things we need to maintain.”
Are you proud of having played this match nonetheless?
“Yes, especially against this opponent. Sometimes you have to remember who you’re playing against.” One of the best teams in the world. It’s a great honor to have played this match, but football isn’t an art form. We missed too many chances to win. They had two and a half opportunities and scored twice. And we gave them two chances. Their second goal was superb. We were wasteful in front of goal. But we have conviction and confidence, and these are things we need to maintain to prepare well for the final and win it.
We played against an opponent of an indescribable caliber; they’re just so strong. It’s great to have put in this kind of performance, but it will be different against Nice, who play a more compact game. Paris often opens up in their matches, and that’s what left us with a lot of space. “But it’s great that the players are left with this impression,” a statement relayed by L’Equipe.
The disappointment is understandable; Lens wanted a full celebration for their last home game of the season. It was also the last match at Bollaert for some players as Lens fans. Not to mention the prestige of beating PSG. But, precisely, that’s a difficult feat, and Pierre Sage’s team didn’t manage it.
There were some very good moments in their play and some excellent chances created. However, they lacked efficiency, even with Matvey Safonov (the 27-year-old goalkeeper) in top form to repel the attacks. One can debate the “unfair” aspect, since these are points that are part of a football match. It is, however, undeniably frustrating; we’ve experienced this with PSG at times in recent years as well.
This match should primarily serve Lens, both to build confidence in their play and to help them gain experience. This serves to highlight areas that still need work: finishing, as well as taking risks in the build-up play. Of course, it’s primarily encouraging content before facing Nice in the Coupe de France final on May 22nd. Even if it will be a very different opponent and context.
