RB Leipzig in Lens: 5 facts you need to know ahead of the game | OneFootball

Our final friendly awaits on Saturday (18:00 CEST). Here are five interesting facts about RC Lens, including about a stadium that holds more people than the city, new arrivals at the club, and comparisons with a 2. Bundesliga side.

1. A stadium that holds more people than the city

The Stade Bollaert-Delelis is one of the largest stadiums in France, with a capacity of 38,223. It is also a major landmark of the city. Fun fact: The stadium has a higher capacity than the entire population of Lens. Around 33,000 people live in the northern city.

2. Comparisons with Schalke 04

The region around Lens is famous for its mining industry. RCL are known in France as a 'miner's club' and have been compared to FC Schalke 04 because of their working-class roots.

Their mining origins can be seen everywhere within the club, including in their red and gold colours. Red represents the blood of mining work, and gold represents the coal. The name 'Stade Bollaert-Delelis' honours former mining director Felix Bollaert.

3. A return for Openda

"I've been looking forward to returning for a while now. I'm delighted that it's finally time on Saturday. It will be a special match for me," said Lois Openda ahead of his return to his old stomping ground.

The Belgian scored 21 goals for RC Lens during the 2022/23 season, and played a vital role in the best season in the club's recent history.

Ahead of the match, we spoke to Lois about his time in Lens, the strengths of our upcoming opponents and how he's feeling ahead of the clash. Our striker also told us about his most memorable moments from his time at Lens, as well as who the French side's key players are.

4. A new head coach and new arrivals from the Bundesliga

After Lens finished last season in eighth place, Pierre Sage took over as head coach from Englishman Will Still (now at Southampton).

Sage previously held several roles at Olympique Lyonnais, including as head coach, academy manager and youth coach. The Frenchman's sides play a pressing style with a high tempo.

To help implement his philosophy on the pitch, RCL have strengthened their squad during this transfer window. Striker Morgan Guilavogui has returned from his loan at FC St. Pauli in the Bundesliga (six goals and two assists in 25 league games). Swedish youngster Jeremy Agbonifo (from BK Häcken) and forward Martin Satriano (from Inter Milan) have also strengthened the frontline. Meanwhile, Samson Baidoo (from Red Bull Salzburg) and Matthieu Udol (from Metz) have provided defensive reinforcements.

5. A sensational title triumph

In 1998, the club, who were founded in 1906, celebrated the only league title win in the club's history so far. After having sat in sixth at the halfway mark, Lens worked their way all the way up to the top in the second half of the campaign, and secured the title in dramatic fashion. They sat level on points with Metz, but won the title thanks to their goal difference, which was five better than their opponents.

One of the best-known players from the club's title-winning season was former Czech international Vladimír Smicer.

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