Adrien Thomasson the Champions League: “My ultimate dream is to face my favourite team, Real Madrid.” | OneFootball

RC Lens and Adrien Thomasson may not have won Ligue 1, but securing a spot in next year’s Champions League is a victory in itself. In an interview with RMC, the midfielder discussed being part of the squad that took Lens back to European football.

Thomasson, who once played in the third tier with Vannes, will now be competing on Europe’s biggest stage. Aged 29, he joined RC Lens during the winter transfer window from Strasbourg. His move was part of what gave Franck Haise’s team the reinforcement they needed to finish second ahead of Marseille in Ligue 1.

In the past, many great Ligue 1 teams were not be able to maintain players and coaches after an impressive season. Thomasson spoke about the reality of the team staying together: “It’s the toughest competition in the world. It will be new for us. There will obviously be some alterations to be made. Our dream is to discover the Champions League with the current team, but we are realistic, we know that it will be difficult to keep all the players given the external demands. Anything can happen in football. No one is irreplaceable, even if it can affect the level of the team.”

The Evian youth product has even begun to dream of the teams his side will face come next year’s Champions League: “I have several ideas in mind for the draw. My ultimate dream is to face my favourite team, Real Madrid. I know I’m going to make [RMC’s Real Madrid correspondent] Fred Hermel happy! (laughs) Afterward, I’m fascinated by English football. Playing a Premier League team would be very nice. And then I would like to play in an iconic stadium, so why not Bayern Munich or Borussia Dortmund? That would really be amazing!”

Lens have not only played some of the most exciting football in Europe this season, but they have also showed they could compete in big matches. If Les Sang et Or can keep their core players and coach together, they will be well-prepared to play in Europe.

GFFN | Tony DesRois