RC Strasbourg Alsace – RC Lens: Lens’s title challenge slips away (1-1)

For the second weekend in a row, RC Lens dropped points. Their title bid looks as if has collapsed, with RC Strasbourg Alsace holding Les Sang et Or to an unwanted, but not unappreciated draw. Unlike last weekend when Lens were torn apart by Monaco, this was a game they perhaps should have walked away from with all three points. 

Tactical analysis and match report by Nick Hartland.

After consecutive defeats in the league to Paris Saint-Germain and Le Havre AC, RC Strasbourg Alsace looked to be back on the right track in recent weeks. A draw with Olympique de Marseille was followed by a win over AS Monaco in the Coupe de France and Olympique Lyonnais in the league. 

Gary O’Neil has avoided unnecessary changes to his line-ups and went with his favoured 4-2-3-1 shape. Mike Penders in goal behind a back four consisting of Guela Doué, Andrew Omobamidele, Ismaël Doukouré, and Abdoul Ouattara. Valentín Barco and Samir El Mourabet as a double pivot. Martial Godo and Diego Moreira on the wings with Julio Enciso as the no. 10. Up front, Joaquín Panichelli as the lone no. 9. 

RC Lens’s title charge stuttered last weekend when they lost 3-2 to AS Monaco, despite taking a two-goal lead. Pierre Sage has tried to avoid admitting Lens are in competition with PSG, but it’s hard to deny what the eyes can see. And they would be desperate not . . .