Lens continued their impressive run to the top of Ligue 1 with a 3-1 victory over Rennes on Thursday, while Lyon secured a narrow 1-0 win against Nantes. Elsewhere, Brest defeated Lorient 2-0.
At the Bollaert-Delelis stadium, Lens overcame an early setback to claim all three points. Rennes took the lead in the 8th minute through Esteban Lepaul, notching his 10th goal of the season. However, Lens responded before halftime with a goal from Odsonne Édouard, leveling the score after a physical battle in the box. The comeback was completed in the second half with goals from Ruben Aguilar in the 54th minute and Allan Saint-Maximin in the 78th minute. Aguilar’s goal came shortly after he received his second yellow card, forcing Lens to play the final stages with ten men, but they were able to hold on for the win.
The victory moves Lens to the top of the Ligue 1 table with 49 points, one point ahead of Paris Saint-Germain, who have a game in hand and are scheduled to play their derby against Marseille on Sunday. This win marks Lens’s 16th of the season, with just one draw and four losses. Their strong form has established them as serious contenders for the league title.
Lyon, meanwhile, secured a hard-fought 1-0 victory over Nantes at the Stade de la Beaujoire. Gift Orban, known as Šulc in some reports, scored the decisive goal in the 25th minute, capitalizing on a cross from Alfonsso Moreira. This win extends Lyon’s winning streak to twelve competitive matches and represents their sixth consecutive league victory – a feat they haven’t achieved since May 2018. Despite a red card shown to Endrick in the 61st minute, Lyon managed to withstand Nantes’ pressure and secure the three points.
The red card for Endrick didn’t derail Lyon, as Nantes were unable to capitalize on their numerical advantage. Nantes have now lost their last four league matches and remain in a precarious position in the league table.
In the other match of the day, Brest defeated Lorient 2-0. Lascary opened the scoring in the 50th minute, and Ajorque added a second in the 77th minute to seal the victory for Brest. This result lifts Brest to 26 points, while Lorient remain on 28 points.
Lyon’s win propels them to third place in the Ligue 1 standings with 42 points, further solidifying their position as a top contender. Their consistent performance under their current management has been a key factor in their success this season. The team’s ability to overcome adversity, as demonstrated by their victory over Nantes despite playing with ten men for a significant portion of the match, highlights their resilience and determination.
The league table as it stands on , shows a tightly contested battle at the top. Lens lead with 49 points, followed closely by Paris Saint-Germain with 48 points. Lyon are in third place with 42 points, while Marseille and Lille round out the top five with 39 and 33 points respectively. Rennes currently sit in sixth place with 31 points.
The upcoming match between Paris Saint-Germain and Marseille is expected to be a crucial encounter in the title race. A victory for Paris Saint-Germain would see them regain the top spot, while a win for Marseille would close the gap on the league leaders. The outcome of this match could significantly impact the remainder of the season.
Lens’s impressive form has been a major talking point throughout the season. Their ability to consistently pick up points against both strong and weaker opponents has been instrumental in their success. The team’s defensive solidity, combined with their attacking prowess, makes them a formidable opponent for any team in the league.
Lyon’s resurgence under their current coach has been equally impressive. After a difficult start to the season, they have transformed into a genuine title contender. The arrival of key players and the implementation of a clear tactical approach have been key factors in their turnaround.
