Lens’ Franck Haise after away win to Rennes: “Second place doesn’t mean much.”

Lens bagged a significant 1-0 away win at fifth-placed Rennes on Saturday night to leapfrog Marseille in the Ligue 1 standings into second on goal difference. Belgian international striker Loïs Openda scored the only goal of the game with an emphatic 30th-minute header into Steve Mandanda’s top corner. Les Sang et Or are firing on all cylinders lately and sealed a third Ligue 1 win on the bounce, keeping three clean sheets in the process. With nine games left, Lens have temporarily reduced their deficit to league leaders PSG, who host Lyon tonight, to seven points.

Lens’ manager Franck Haise was pleased with his side’s performance. “We needed a good performance from all areas of the pitch and we succeeded“, said Haise in his post-game press conference that L’Équipe attended. The Lens boss particularly enjoyed his players’ excellent first half. In the second half, Rennes grew into the game but the visitors held on to their lead. “We suffered and defended more, but we defended well.” No Ligue 1 team has conceded less goals than Lens’ 21 this season.

With the Artois side gaining momentum and due to face rivals PSG and Marseille in the coming weeks, can the northern side pull off an upset and qualify for next season’s Champions League, if not more? “Second place doesn’t mean much“, assessed Haise. “But a 60-point tally after 29 games played is significant for RC Lens. But we can’t allow complacency to creep in. We have nine games left to keep our momentum going.“

GFFN | Bastien Cheval