Lens seek Champions League lift as injuries bite before Slavia Prague | OneFootball

RC Lens, beaten twice in Ligue 1 and depleted by injuries, open their Champions League campaign at Slavia Prague on Thursday at 21:00. According to Le Progres, it is a perilous trip that could deepen doubts in a side still short of rhythm.

A 1-0 win over Paris Saint-Germain in the Trophée des champions on 16 August was followed by mixed displays. Auxerre were beaten 5-2 at Bollaert despite flaws, then came defeats at Strasbourg, 2-1, and at home to Lorient, 1-0, on Saturday.

Captain Florian Thauvin admits Lens have yet to find their stride but says two losses will not shake him. He believes switching competitions could help them move on quickly from recent setbacks.

Slavia are the Czech champions, one of two Pot 4 opponents for Lens alongside Côme. They are unbeaten in 7 this season, 5 wins and 2 draws, and beat Lille 2-1 at home in the 2024 Champions League play-off second leg.

Coach Dino Toppmöller again faces absences, with Yacine Titraoui joining Samson Baidoo, Saud Abdulhamid and Maik Nawrocki on the injury list. That could mean academy products Kyllian Antonio, 18, Souleymane Sagnan, 21, and Ismaëlo Ganiou, 21, start in defence. Late-window signing Jean-Clair Todibo, from West Ham and short of minutes after missing Saturday, could also feature in the centre, with Toppmöller saying he would add stability and calm and is a defensive reference.

Source: Le Progres

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