Lens dream of Champions League return after 20-year absence

W e’ve written about plenty of surprise packages in this column, but it’s rare for clubs to break into the European places in Ligue 1. Reims did it in 2018-19 but, other than that, the top seven of PSG, Marseille, Monaco, Lille, Rennes, Nice and Lyon have been remarkably consistent for the last half-decade. Lyon’s recent stutters have created an opportunity for a new face to secure a place in Europe.

Earlier this season, Lorient were turning heads with their attractive play under Régis Le Bris, but they have tailed off lately, undone by the January sales of Dango Ouattara and Terem Moffi. Incredibly, Reims have lost just once in the league under Will Still, but their draw against Brest at the weekend was their ninth of his tenure. Those dropped points are likely to haunt the Champagne side, with sixth place not a European spot this year. Strasbourg came agonisingly close last season, finishing in sixth, but they missed out because Nantes won the Coupe de France.

Lens have also been nipping at the heels of the league’s top sides – and this season they have become one of them. Their 2-1 win over Strasbourg on Friday has consolidated second place in the table. They are two points clear of Marseille, who were held to a goalless draw by Lorient at the weekend, and five points above fourth-placed Monaco, who let two points slip against Nantes on Sunday.

Lens’ ascent seemed unlikely a month ago, when their draw at home to local rivals Lille left them with one win in seven league matches. They had also been dumped out of the Coupe de France by holders Nantes. Their record signing Loïs Openda had gone cold, with no goals in that run, and he had even been left on the bench for their two matches before the derby. Winter signings