Lens/PSG – Introducing Lens, a superb 2nd-placed side | OneFootball

This Wednesday, May 13, Paris Saint-Germain (1st) face Lens (2nd) at the Stade Bollaert (kick-off at 9pm, live on beIN SPORTS) in the postponed match from Matchday 29 of the 2025-2026 Ligue 1 season. And as before every match, here is a presentation of the Parisians’ opponent.

Lens’ situation –

After a spell of excitement, Lens went through a slightly less encouraging period. There was no European football at stake this season, after finishing 8th in Ligue 1 in the 2024-2025 campaign. It must be said that there were changes during the summer of 2024: coach Franck Haise left for a new challenge at Nice, while Will Still arrived from Reims.

Lens changed again after a disappointing spell. The Belgian coach left as well, heading to Southampton and the English second division. Pierre Sage, who made a name for himself at Lyon, took over in the hope of bringing attractive football, stability, and Europe back to the club. After a very lively transfer window, he has fully accomplished his mission and the Lens side is particularly admired. The team in 2nd place has managed to be a competitor for PSG, even if the current gap of 6 points and 15 in goal difference means the title race is now almost over.

The summer 2025 transfer window –

Source: Transfermarkt.

Departures:

Arrivals:

The winter 2025/2026 transfer window –

Source: Transfermarkt.

Departures:

Arrivals:

Main statistics –

This season, Lens have the 2nd-best attack in Ligue 1 with 62 goals scored (leaders PSG have 71, while bottom side Angers have 28), and the 2nd-best defense with 33 goals conceded (PSG have the best defense with 27 goals conceded, while bottom side Metz have 76).

The top scorer for Brest is Odsonne Edouard (28-year-old striker); with 12 goals he is 55th in the league (Ligue 1’s top scorer is Esteban Lepaul with 20 goals). Adrien Thomasson (32-year-old midfielder) is the Lens club’s top assist provider with 10 assists, and he is 1st in Ligue 1.

Lens’ last 5 matches –

Only Lens’ possession is listed, and Lens’ shots are given first (when the data is available).

17/04/2026 (Ligue 1) – Lens/Toulouse (down to 10 men in the 17th minute, 0-2): 3-2. In a 3-4-2-1. 74% possession. 38 shots including 14 on target, compared to 4 shots (2 on target)

21/04/2026 (Coupe de France) – Lens/Toulouse: 4-1. In a 3-4-2-1. 63% possession. 14 shots including 9 on target, compared to 5 shots (1 on target)

24/04/2026 (Ligue 1) – Brest/Lens: 3-3. In a 3-4-2-1. 64% possession. 20 shots including 7 on target, compared to 5 shots (3 on target).

02/05/2026 (Ligue 1) – Nice/Lens (down to 10 men in the 81st minute, 0-1): 1-1. In a 3-4-2-1. 56% possession. 15 shots including 6 on target, compared to 7 shots (2 on target).

08/05/2026 (Ligue 1) – Lens/Nantes: 1-0. In a 3-4-2-1. 64% possession. 10 shots including 4 on target, compared to 7 shots (2 on target).

The squad:

Unavailable – Gradit, Gurtnez (injured), Abdulhamid (suspended)

Probable team in a 3-4-2-1.

Edouard

Saïd – Thauvin

Udol – Thomasson – Sangaré – Aguilar

Sarr – Baidoo – Ganiou

Risser

Lens’ style of play.

It is something of a “tradition” that has been taking hold for several years now: Lens have a very attacking style of play and very often line up with a back three. The idea is to press, if possible to hurt the opponent quickly, but otherwise to keep control and wear them down. It is an energetic style that is difficult to counter, but one that can also sometimes leave a few gaps and therefore create opportunities.

PSG have been warned: they will need to be up to speed immediately for this away trip, which promises to be intense, even if the stakes have been reduced somewhat by the very large goal-difference gap. Still, they must not allow themselves to be swept away by Lens’ waves of pressure.

This article was translated into English by Artificial Intelligence. You can read the original version in 🇫🇷 here.