RC Lens, champion of France in 1998, has had ups and downs since then. After a period of regularity in League 1, the club went down to League 2 in 2008, marking a difficult decade marked by financial difficulties and shareholder instability. After several seasons between the two leagues, Lens returned to Ligue 1 in 2020 and has since experienced a steady progression, culminating with a 2nd place in 2023 and a qualifying in the Champions League. For the current season, the aim is to consolidate a place in the top 7-8, with the hope of returning to European competitions and maintaining the enthusiasm of the public.

The summer of transfers of RC Lens was marked by a significant renewal of its workforce. Several key players left the club, including Medina, Bah, Ryan, Diouf, El Aynaoui, and Nzola, while new recruits strengthened the team. Notable arrivals include Florian Tauvin, Risser, Gurtner, Udol and Baidoo. These movements, orchestrated by a new staff led by Pierre Sage, aim to revitalize the team after a period of financial austerity. The defence, once a force of the club, has undergone several departures, but new players have been recruited to fill these voids.

Currently, RC Lens is in 10th place in the standings, with a game down from Brest. The team started the season with a defeat against Lyon, but recovered with a victory against Le Havre. The next player is Florian Tauvin, a talented offensive milieu that returns to Europe after a successful visit to Mexico. Coach Pierre Sage, known for his pedagogy and human management, quickly revived the team after his arrival. The next Lens match, against Brest, will be arbitrated by Abdelatif Kherradji, an experienced referee who has already acted several times in the matches between the two teams.