PLAYER RATINGS | Lens 1-0 Auxerre: Les Sang et Or reclaim Ligue 1’s top spot with tenth win in a row | OneFootball

Ligue 1 McDonald’s, Round 18, 17/01/25

Racing Club de Lens extended their winning streak in all competitions with a narrow 1-0 home win against 17th-placed Auxerre. Wesley Saïd scored the game’s only goal after the hour mark.

The Match

With PSG winning 3-0 on Friday against Lille OSC, Lens needed a win against 17th-placed Auxerre to return at the top of Ligue 1. Pierre Sage’s side showed they meant business early on with Auxerre goalkeeper Donovan Léon called into action with a strong save to parry away Saud Abdulhamid’s effort.

Lens struggled to establish territorial domination as Auxerre brought out enough fight to win most of their duels. The Yonne side was also threatening on the counter, whereas Lens’ final ball let them down. Auxerre switched to five at the back when off the ball, which particularly nullified Lens’ attacking impetus.

Auxerre finished the first half strongly. Former Crystal Palace midfielder Naouirou Ahamada went close with a left-footed effort that fizzed away from Robin Rosser’s post. Minutes into the second half, Lens finally cranked up the pressure. Matthieu Udol failed to convert two attempts with Clément Akpa and Fredrik Oppegard blocking the ball before it reaches the net.

Auxerre continued to invite pressure from the hosts in sitting deep, and Lens finally reached the breakthrough. Sinaly Diomandé failed to clear Malang Sarr’s cross from the left, which allowed Wesley Saïd to chest the ball down before firing home his 8th goal of the season on the half-volley.

Auxerre missed the opportunity to go level immediately with Lamine Sy skying his right-footed effort. Donovan Léon kept the relegation-fighting Auxerre in the game with a great save to deny Mamadou Sangaré. Lens squandered several chances to kill off the game, but they held on to three important points to leapfrog PSG at Ligue 1’s summit.

Next Saturday, they’ll lock horns with Marseille with a mouth-watering clash at the Vélodrome. As for Auxerre, they need to toughen up in both penalty boxes to maintain any hope of Ligue 1 beyond the current campaign.

Lens player ratings

Robin Risser – 5

Ismaëlo Ganiou – 6

Samson Baidoo –  6

Malang Sarr – 6

Saud Abdulhamid – 5

Andrija Bulatovic – 5

Adrien Thomasson – 4

Booked early on, the midfielder had an usually off game for a player of his quality. Replaced at the hour mark. 

Matthieu Udol – 4

Florian Thauvin – 4

The France international winger was not as influential as he used to be. He lost countless balls and his decision-making let him down.

Wesley Saïd – 6

Rayan Fofana – 4

In the absence of Odsonne Edouard, the centre-forward was tasked to lead the line. The youngster made little to no difference. Hooked before the hour mark and replaced by Abdallah Sima.

GFFN | Bastien Cheval