Franck Haise has described Tuesday’s UEFA Champions League victory over Arsenal as “one of the most memorable matches” of his reign as RC Lens manager.
When Haise joined Lens in 2020, the club were in Ligue 2, but he has guided them up the French football pyramid. Last season, he led Les Sang et Or to second in Ligue 1, just one point behind eventual champions Paris Saint-Germain, whom they had beaten that season. However, whilst that New Year’s Day victory over Les Pairisens will likely rank as one of his greatest achievements as Lens manager, the same can certainly be said of Tuesday’s 2-1 victory over Arsenal.
His side had to come from behind against the Gunners. Adrien Thomasson made up for his error by netting the equaliser before Elye Wahi got the winner in the second half. Whilst Haise didn’t go so far as to say it was the greatest victory of his managerial reign at the club, he did nonetheless describe it as “one of the most memorable matches.”
“I don’t know if it’s the biggest (match), but beating Arsenal is surely one of the most memorable matches of the period that I am living through, and that I will continue to live with RC Lens,” he said in a post-match press conference, transcribed by L’Équipe.
Haise was also full of praise for the home crowd. “When we are really in symbiosis with each other, it creates beautiful evenings,” said the Frenchman.
GFFN | Luke Entwistle
