PARIS, May 6 (silubaba) -- Lens clinched a pivotal 2-1 victory over Marseille at the Stade Bollaert-Delelis on Saturday, taking a solid step towards next season's UEFA Champions League after leapfrogging the rivals into the second spot of Ligue 1 standings.
The clash started with Marseille one point ahead of Lens in the league but finished with Lens moving two points in front. The top two finishers of the French league secure spots in the group stage of the premier continental tournament while the third team has to play from the playoffs.
"We have 72 points, we are second with four matches remaining. We will continue to fight to be as high as possible, I don't know what will happen but I have a team that is ready," Lens head coach Franck Haise said.
Meanwhile, the result also put pressure on league frontrunners Paris Saint-Germain, who travel to relegation-threatened Troyes on Sunday with only a three-point lead in hand.
"Tomorrow evening we will be at six points behind. I think Paris will be champions," the 52-year-old manager, who led Lens from second division Ligue 2 to promote to the top flight three years ago, said while trying to play down people's expectations when talking about a potential title race against the defending champions.
Lens, a team from the former coal mining town, continued their invincible form at home as captain Seko Fofana opened the scoring after 42 minutes with a brilliant long-range strike.
Belgian forward Lois Openda headed in the second on the hour mark which added his season's tally to 19 goals.
"We are all strong mentally, united. We know what to expect, just played as usual, without pressure. We played at home, it's our fortress," Openda said. "Today I scored my 19th goal, it's not the end. I will give my all in the next four matches."
The visitors were close to taking a lead only eight minutes into the game, but Alexis Sanchez's goal was disallowed for a foul on Kevin Danso before. Dimitri Payet pulled one back in the 88th minute but it was too little and too late for Marseille.
Earlier in the day, Lille suffered a 1-0 defeat at Reims as Marshall Munetsi's first-half goal secured the victory for the hosts.
Lille stayed in fifth place in the table, with two points behind Monaco, who visit Angers on Sunday. ■
微信扫描下方的二维码阅读本文
