Lens beat Strasbourg to pile pressure on PSG | OneFootball

RC Lens claimed a fourth straight win with a 2-1 defeat of RC Strasbourg Alsace on Friday that allowed the northern club to move just three points behind Paris Saint-Germain at the top of the Ligue 1 Uber Eats table.

RC Lens 2-1 RC Strasbourg Alsace

THE MATCH

Playing 24 hours before PSG gave Lens a golden opportunity to pile the pressure on the league leaders and they were determined not to squander it before a packed crowd at the Stade Bollaert-Delelis. The hosts went in front from their first real chance as Przemysław Frankowski controlled an Adrien Thomasson cutback and slotted home (11’). The goal was initially disallowed for an offside against Thomasson but a VAR check overturned that decision.

Only several good saves from Strasbourg goalkeeper Matz Sels prevented Les Sang et Or from scoring again before they eventually doubled their lead in the 65th minute. Florian Sotoca’s cross was headed out by Ismaël Doukouré but Facundo Medina was there to volley in first-time on his left foot from just inside the penalty box.

Diallo dismissed

Kévin Gameiro pulled one back for Strasbourg with a magnificent curling strike high into the far corner of the net with six minutes left. That set up a nervy finale, but Lens held on as the away side had top scorer Habib Diallo sent off in injury time (90+4’).

A fourth straight win for Lens leaves them just three points behind PSG before the leaders visit OGC Nice on Saturday, and ahead of a trip to the capital for Franck Haise’s team next weekend. Strasbourg, meanwhile, remain above the relegation zone only on goal difference.

THE PLAYER: Facundo Medina

The Argentine international has been outstanding in the Lens defence this season but has also popped up with two decisive goals now – the matchwinner here came after he also netted what proved to be the winner in a 2-1 success at Angers SCO in November.

THE STAT: 4

Lens have won four Ligue 1 games on the bounce after winning just four of their previous 12.

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