** RC Lens in trouble: a transition season according to Will Still**
RC Lens technician Will Still calls this season a “transition.” He deplores the irregularity of his team at the end of the exercise, which struggles to align positive results and is constantly caught up in his mistakes. This sport situation places the Sangs and Gold in the soft belly of the rankings (8th), without the possibility of expecting a European place by the end of the season.
Before facing Olympique Lyonnais this Sunday, May 4 at 5:15 p.m., the Lenses slanted dryly against AJ Auxerre on the score of 0-4. A “unacceptable” result, according to Will Still, which ransacked the attitudes of his players at the DAZN microphone last Sunday.
The Belgian coach links the bad results in the North with the contractual situations of some players, especially the oldest in the club for whom this season marks “the end of a cycle or the end of a story”. Florian Sotoca, the Lens captain, is a symbol of this nauseous context. Far from his usual standards in statistical terms, he scored only one goal and delivered a single decisive pass this season in Ligue 1.
Adrien Thomasson and Wesley Said are also targeted and will be replacing until the end of the season. The artesian leaders will have to find a way out for these players this summer if they want to get a good transfer payment.
RC Lens sports director Diego Lopez, appointed in September 2024, is also criticized by supporters of the club who chanted “Lopez resignation” during the meeting against Auxerre last Sunday. This internal crisis context could smile at OL this Sunday.
A success in the field and outside for Olympique Lyonnais
On Saturday night, OL received Stade Rennais on the occasion of the 31st day of Ligue 1. A crucial meeting for the European future of John Textor’s club. Paulo Fonseca’s men firmly imposed themselves against the Bretons on the score of 4-1 ahead of 51,034 spectators in the stands.
The organization of public transport before and after the meeting was welcomed by the Lyon supporters. Indeed, until May 7, inclusive, no trams can serve the Parc OL for work. The Lyon public transport network had therefore mobilized many bus shuttles to drive the tens of thousands of people to the game and to the Ghost group concert in the Arena.
We will have to anticipate his arrival at the stadium for the meeting against RC Lens this Sunday, May 4 at 5:15 p.m. Buses will be requisitioned and the first departures are scheduled for 14:45 from the Panettes, Eurexpo and Silk. The last departures, after the meeting, are scheduled for 8:30 pm. "