Lens Triumphs in European Showdown
In a thrilling Conference League match, Lens secured a 2-1 victory over Panathinaikos despite being reduced to 10 men early on. Coach Will Still's first home game showcased the team's resilience and identity, highlighted by early goals and strong collective defense. Key players like Wesley Saïd and Jonathan Gradit emphasized the team's solidarity. With a challenging return leg ahead in Athens, Lens aims to maintain their slim advantage.#ConferenceLeague #EuropeanFootball #LensVictory #FootballIdentity #WillStill
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00:00The Conference League might not be the most prestigious continental competition, but Stade
00:05Ballert-Delalus witnessed a grand European night this Thursday with Lens' courageous
00:09victory over Panathinaikos, 2-1, despite being reduced to 10 men from the 23rd minute.
00:17A result and more importantly, a Lens-like manner of playing, reassuring for Will Still's
00:22first home game in charge.
00:24Some matches define identities, for Will Still, the second official game at the helm of Lens,
00:29the first at Ballert-Delalus, was significant for both him and the northern French fans.
00:38In the first leg of the Conference League play-offs, Racing Club played true to its
00:42identity, a strong start marked by Przemyslaw Frankowski's goal just three minutes and ten
00:47seconds in, high engagement, and then exceptional collective solidity for 70 minutes.
00:54With 10 men after Facundo Medina's red card, 23rd minute.
01:00We got a red card early, it wasn't easy, Jonathan Gradet reflected at the end of the
01:05match, but there was a lot of solidarity, as usual.
01:10The strength of habit was indeed palpable this Thursday for a group that knows itself
01:14well and experienced high-level European clashes last year in the Champions League.
01:20We learned a lot from our experiences, commented Wesley Said, who scored the second goal while
01:25being outnumbered, 35th minute, 2-0, on Canal+.
01:30Without falling apart, Lens stood strong, and everyone contributed.
01:35Kevin Danso on his way out, gave his all with multiple decisive interventions.
01:41Adrian Thomasson performed tirelessly in the shadows, in addition to delivering the assist
01:46for Said.
01:47And, as usual, the Lens fans provided unwavering support, reminiscent of their glorious Champions
01:53League nights.
01:55Even with 10 men, you feel like you're playing with 14 or 15.
01:59Savored rookie coach was still on Canal+.
02:03Tasked with continuing Frank Hayes's legacy, he appreciated his team's performance.
02:08I tip my hat to them, playing over 70 minutes against such a team with 10 men is impressive,
02:14and scoring a goal.
02:16I was impressed by the maturity and calm we showed, and the quality too, it's very positive.
02:23We had to match Panathinaikos's intensity at 11, at 10, or even at 9.
02:28And even with 10 men, we weren't in great trouble.
02:31Still concluded.
02:32However, Facundo Medina's foul, leading to a red card for a poorly managed action while
02:38he was already booked, was seen as less positive.
02:42None of his teammates openly criticized him, and still did not comment on it.
02:47Lens won the first leg battle, but a challenging return leg awaits.
02:52The Lens squad will have the tough task of preserving their slim advantage in Athens
02:56next week, with everything still at stake.
03:00They will have to take the initiative, we can hurt them in transitions, Thomasson analyzed
03:05while admitting.
03:06It will be difficult.
03:07We're ahead, but that doesn't change much.
03:10We have to go there and win, still warned before concluding.
03:14I hope we'll be playing with 11 men for a bit longer.