This Saturday, November 2, Paris Saint-Germain (1st) take on Lens (5th) at the Parc des Princes(kick-off 5pm, broadcast on beIN SPORTS in France) as part of Matchday 10 of Ligue 1 2024-2025. And as before every match, here’s a presentation of the Parisians’ opponents.
The Lens situation –
After a moment of excitement, Lens was a bit of a winner last season. Instead of playing the title race to the end, they qualified for the Europa League Conference play-off. There’s been a change this summer, with coach Franck Haise leaving for a new challenge in Nice, while Will Still has arrived from Reims.
This new adventure got off to an interesting start, with the idea of the game remaining relatively similar, but there were a few missteps, including the European elimination against Panathinaikos and a lack of goals. RCL are still 5th in Ligue 1, despite losing to Lille at the weekend, which is quite promising.
The 2024 summer mercato –
Source: Transfermarkt.
Departures:
Arrivals:
Key statistics
This season, Lens has the 15th-best attack in the league with 9 goals scored (the leader, PSG, is 28, and the last, Le Havre, is 7), and is among the best defenders with 6 goals conceded (Monaco is tied, the last, Montpellier, is 29).
Lens’s top scorer is Mbala Nzola (28-year-old striker), who is 40th in the league with 2 goals (Ligue 1’s top scorer is Bradley Barcola with 8). Ruben Aguilar (31-year-old right-back) is Lens ‘ top passer with 1 assist, 42nd in Ligue 1 (João Neves is first with 5 assists).
Lens’ last 5 matches –
Only Lens possession is shown and Lens shots are put first (when data is available).
- 21/09/2024 (Ligue 1) – Rennes/Lens: 1-1. 3-4-1-2 formation. 60% possession. 10 shots including 2 on target vs. 11 shots (6 on target).
- 09/28/2024 (Ligue 1) – Lens (down to 10 at the 84th minute, 0-0)/Nice: 0-0. In 4-2-3-1. 56% possession. 22 shots including 7 on target vs. 15 shots (4 on target).
- 06/10/2024 (Ligue 1) – Strasbourg/Lens: 2-2. In 3-4-1-2. 64% possession. 12 shots, including 5 on target, against 8 shots (5 on target).
- 19/10/2024 (Ligue 1) – Saint-Etienne/Lens : 0-2. In 3-4-2-1. 64% possession. 13 shots, including 5 on target, against 15 shots (1 on target).
- 26/10/2024 (Ligue 1) – Lens/Lille: 0-2. In 3-4-1-2. 59% possession. 11 shots including 4 on target vs. 11 shots (3 on target).
The squad and the probable team.
The team according to the press in 3-4-1-2 (L’Equipe) :
Nzola – Sotoca
Thomasson
Zaroury – Medina – Diouf – Frankowski
Khusanov – Danso – Gradit
Samba.
Lens’ style of play.
In keeping with Will Still’s usual style, Lens’ idea – which was already close under Franck Haise – is to play high and press hard, so as to gain possession and create chances without being in too much danger.
This last point works, as Lens is very solid. But we’re lacking in efficiency, and that’s costing us dearly. PSG will need to be on their toes, and not get frustrated by a compact team.
