Prior to their Champions League opener against Sevilla, Lens were in the wilderness. Franck Haise’s side had failed to win any of their first five Ligue 1 matches and had already lost on four occasions, the same amount as they lost in the entire 2022/23 season, where they finished just one point behind eventual champions Paris Saint-Germain. A repeat of that feat certainly didn’t look on the cards with Les Sang et Or trapped in the relegation zone. 

Lens notably looked to be suffering from the absence of the talismanic figure of Seko Fofana, a crucial element of the side’s midfield, but also the dressing room, whilst their top scorer, Loïs Openda, also made a move away from the Stade Bollaert. “I don’t think we’ve completely turned the page on last season,” said Haise in the run-up to the match against AS Monaco. “We’ve stayed with what went well in 2022/23 and things catch up with you. We need to turn the page. There is a lot of work to do that hasn’t been completely done.”

Spierings a symbol of Lens’ demise

Haise struck an even more worrying tone after the club’s defeat to Monaco. “We have to be worried. I can’t say that I’m not worried, that wouldn’t be lucid,” said the Frenchman. Things would get worse before they got better, with a shock defeat at home to newly-promoted FC Metz preceding Lens’ first trip of the Champions League campaign. 

Lens’ demise on the pitch can at least partially be attributed to what went on off of it. Grégory Thil, in his one and perhaps only transfer window as Lens technical director, saw his role diminish as the deadline approached. The perceived failure of Thil’s business saw Arnaud Pouille increasingly involved himself in the recruitment, bringing in profiles such as Nampalys Mendy, Faitout Maouassa and Ruben Aguilar. Pouille’s involvement suggested that Thil’s time as technical director was coming to an end. 

The worst piece of business was undoubtedly Stijn Spierings. The Dutch midfielder had thrived at Toulouse FC the previous season before arriving at the Stade Bollaert on a free transfer. However, it wasn’t a good fight. Spierings was “poorly cast” for Lens’ style of play, and by mid-September, he had returned to Le TéFéCé on a joker transfer. 

Understandably, there was little optimism as Lens headed into their Champions League opener against Sevilla.

I’m not going to arrive with a bucket of confidence. We’re going to continue to believe in ourselves. I believe in my players and my team. The season will perhaps be difficult until the end. We came up short this evening, but I am confident […] I didn’t think we would be here, with just one point from 15. I knew it would certainly be a more difficult season. But this is where we are and we have to face it,” said Haise just days before Lens’ trip to Spain. 

However, he struck a more positive tone the day before the match against Sevilla. The mood seemed to have lightened, the Champions League a very welcome distraction. “Three years ago, this club was in Ligue 2. So yes, we’ve had bad results since the start of the season and we are working to improve things, but we would be stupid if we weren’t able to enjoy this moment. I don’t want to be stupid,” said Haise. 

Fulgini fires Lens back to form 

Lens looked to have carried their domestic form into the European competition. Luis Ocampos opened the scoring for Sevilla early on, but Les Sang et Or struck back with a sumptuous strike from Angelo Fulgini. Lens held on to take a point on their grand return to the upper echelon of the European game. “It’s important in the period that we are in to show character, that RC Lens are still here […] it will also, if it is necessary, also give the group a lot of confidence,” said Haise. 

The following weekend Lens got their first Ligue 1 victory, against Toulouse, and then backed that up with a slender win over RC Strasbourg Alsace. Then came the exploit, the one that few expected, the victory over Arsenal, which Haise described as “one of the most memorable matches” of his reign as Lens manager. 

Lens have not lost since and their most recent 4-0 victory over FC Nantes lifted them to 10th, level on points with Olympique de Marseille. Les Sang et Or are once again looking up the Ligue 1 table, and qualification from their Champions League group looks entirely feasible. If Metz was the nadir of Lens’ season, the match against Sevilla just days later was the clearly identifiable turning point. 

So many French clubs strive all season to attain European competition, but once there, it is a sort of poison chalice. There is almost a relief when they are knocked out and a perception that they are better without it, that they can devote all of their time and attention to domestic competition. Lens are proof that European performance can help, not hinder, domestic form.  

GFFN | Luke Entwistle

Liverpool’s lead was short-lived though. Nicklas Schmidt’s excellent pass fed Aron Dönnum, who showed great vision to beat the offside trap and release the untracked Thijs Dallinga who emphatically fired home in front of the Kop. Both Liverpool full-backs, as well as Caoimhin Kelleher, really should have done better. Les Violets grew in confidence and boldly went toe-to-toe with the Reds. Toulouse’s off-the-ball work to screen Liverpool’s passing lanes was remarkable, and we had an open game on our hands.

Toulouse came undone in four minutes

Toulouse were however powerless to prevent Trent Alexander-Arnold from pinging a trademark inch-perfect cross for the unlikely Wataru Endo to loop in a precise header in Restes’ bottom corner at the half-hour mark. The hosts’ ruthlessness were too much to handle for Toulouse. Four minutes later, Liverpool got themselves a third goal following a mazy run from Ryan Gravenberch with the ball rebounding off Curtis Jones’ arm and into the path of Nunez, who rifled past under Restes’ crossbar.

Only minutes in the second half, Toulouse were offered a way back in the game following a blunder from Kelleher. Suazo had the goal at his mercy, but he scuttled a shot straight at the onrushing Alexander-Arnold. The Reds were guilty of complacency, showing little intent to put the game to bed for good. Dönnum’s casual back-pass was instantly punished with Nunez running rampant and finding Restes’ post. The excellent Gravenberch was on hand to score the rebound.

Toulouse’s chance to create the upset had passed, and the gap in class between the sides was evident for all to see when Klopp allowed himself to sub on Cody Gakpo and Mohamed Salah. The Egyptian put the icing on the cake with a clinical finish in injury time. Despite a spirited first half-hour, Les Violets were comprehensively beaten at Anfield. They will host Liverpool at the Stadium Municipal in a fortnight. The evening brought more bad news for Toulouse, they are no longer second in Group E following Union Saint-Gilloise’s late 2-1 win against LASK.

Toulouse players ratings

Guillaume Restes, 5 – There’s little he could have done to prevent the first three Liverpool goals. Still, the 18-year-old appeared unfazed on the big stage, showing good anticipation and making a strong stop to deny Gravenberch in the first half and Nunez in the second half.

Gabriel Suazo, 3 – The Chilean had an evening to forget. Despite his experience, he appeared jittery, lost too many easy balls and gave Alexander-Arnold too much freedom. The way he fumbled an open goal, and failed to halve Toulouse’s deficit, is borderline unforgivable.

Logan Costa, 4

Moussa Diarra, 4

Rasmus Nicolaisen, 5

Mikkel Desler, 5

Cristian Casseres, 5

Vincent Sierro, 4

Niklas Schmidt, 5

Aron Dönnum, 4

Thijs Dallinga, 6 – He only needed one clear goal-scoring opportunity to get off the mark, and that’s what good strikers do. Showed great pace and anticipation to perfectly time his run before overpowering Kelleher for the equalizer. Had too little on his plate though, and was well-handled by Gomez and Matip. Should have been credited with an assist if not for Suazo’s awful miss. 

GFFN | Bastien Cheval

Henry knows Zaïre-Emery well. The France U21 manager made the PSG midfielder captain of Les Bleuets earlier this season, despite being just 17 years old. Zaïre-Emery captained France to a comfortable 4-1 victory over Denmark in his first game with the armband with Henry stating that he gave the midfielder the responsibility to see “what he was made of.” 

Henry was also full of praise for the midfielder after his performance against AC Milan. Zaïre-Emery assisted Kylian Mbappé’s opener before teeing up Kang-in Lee late in the second half to wrap up the three points. The Frenchman was awarded man-of-the-match, and Henry strongly believes that the midfielder has a bright future.

“The way Warren Zaïre-Emery is playing, it is normal to run the show at just 17 years old. He was the only one that held his ground at St James’ Park. He’s been magnificent […] The sky is the limit. I have never seen a player that young being so mature. Usually, you have youngsters that play as forwards that make the difference. But when you play in midfield for a team like PSG, you need to readjust. It is rare to see such a young player in that position,” said Henry on CBS Sports Golazo.

He added, “I gave him the armband because I wanted to see the next thing. I know that physically, he is strong, he can run, he can see a pass, he can stop a counter. I want to know if he can also stop a player by talking. I gave him the armband to know if he could direct the team and talk. That was my way of seeing if he could do that, and trust me, he can. This guy has no limits.”

Speaking earlier this month, Didier Deschamps said that he was tracking the “interesting” Zaïre-Emery, adding that if he maintained his level of performance, he would become a “serious contender” for a spot in France’s midfield. Against AC Milan, the PSG academy product certainly stated his case.

GFFN | Luke Entwistle

Toulouse are yet to be beaten in European competition. Le TéFéCé have one win and one draw in Group E and are just two points behind leaders Liverpool going into Thursday’s match at Anfield. Martínez Novell’s side have been solid thus far in Ligue 1, and could yet better their 13th-place finish from last season. They currently sit 10th and have drawn five of their nine top-flight matches in France’s top flight, including their last two.

Whilst there is no doubt that Toulouse head into the match against Liverpool, Martínez Novell has said that he is looking to be positive. “We are preparing this match to beat them. Of course, it’s possible,” said the Spaniard, who did nonetheless address the uncertainties surrounding their opponents set-up with Liverpool often rotating in European competition so far this season. 

Klopp also struck a wary tone in his pre-match press conference, saying that Toulouse are a side that “deserve respect.” 

GFFN | Luke Entwistle

Lille’s defence has looked relatively settled in recent weeks, but that backline has not contained 2018 World Cup winner Umtiti. Before coming on in the final minutes against Stade Brestois at the weekend, he had not played since suffering a concussion against Stade de Reims at the end of September. Leny Yoro, absent for the match against Slovan Bratislava, and Alexsandro have struck a good partnership, which Fonseca has been unwilling to break up. 

However, with Yoro out, the change has been forced. Ismaily and Hákon Arnar Haraldsson are the only other major absentees as they look to beat Slovan Bratislava and take top spot in their Europa Conference League group. 

Lille likely lineup v Slovan Bratislava

Lucas Chevalier; Gabriel Gudmundsson, Samuel Umtiti, Bafodé Diakité, Tiago Santos; Benjamin André, Angel Gomes; Ivan Cavaleiro, Rémy Cabella, Yusuf Yazici; Jonathan David. (L’Éq)

GFFN | Luke Entwistle

Terrier’s route back has been long. He has featured for Les Rennais in Ligue 1, coming off the bench late on and then missing a crucial penalty, but he has not yet started for Bruno Genesio’s side since the injury. That will change against Panathinaikos. Genesio has a wealth of attacking options at his disposal and it is Bertug Yildrim who looks like getting the nod up front. Terrier, Ludovic Blas and Benjamin Bourigeaud will play just behind the Turkish forward with Genesio deploying a 4-2-3-1. Arnaud Kalimuendo drops to the bench.

Rennes likely lineup v Panathinaikos

Steve Mandanda; Adrien Truffert, Arthur Theate, Warmed Omari, Lorenz Assignon; Nemanja Matic, Baptiste Santamaria; Martin Terrier, Ludovic Blas, Benjamin Bourigeaud; Bertug Yildrim. (L’Éq)

GFFN | Luke Entwistle

Injury and suspension have limited Kondogbia to just five Ligue 1 appearances so far this season, however, his return will be welcomed by Gennaro Gattuso, who is likely to deploy a midfield three. Jordan Veretout and Valentin Rongier are set to start alongside the former Atletico Madrid midfielder. 

Pau Lopez is the major absentee. He reportedly suffered an injury prior to last weekend’s defeat against OGC Nice, and he didn’t manage the full 90 against Francesco Farioli’s side. Joaquín Correa and Samuel Gigot are not yet fit to return to the matchday squad either. 

Marseille likely lineup v AEK Athens

Ruben Blanco; Ronan Lodi, Leonardo Balerdi, Chancel Mbemba, Jonathan Clauss; Jordan Veretout, Geoffrey Kondogbia, Valentin Rongier; Iliman Ndiaye, Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang, Amine Harit. (L’Éq)

GFFN | Luke Entwistle

A belaboured start from the hosts afforded the Rossoneri with time and space to settle into the game at their own pace –  midfielder Rade Krunić in particular standing out. A litany of errors when building out from the back handed several opportunities to Stefano Pioli’s men, with Rafael Leão seeing a shot whistle wide of the post after twenty-five minutes.

A misfiring start would be of little consequence, though. On the hour mark, the teenage Warre Zaïre-Emery decided to take matters into his own hands and stormed through the midfield – shrugging off two Milan players in the process – before playing Mbappé through. The France captain, facing Rade Krunić, would keep his marker at bay and find the net with a low, near post finish – a classic Mbappé strike.

Luis Enrique’s men would strike again right after the break, as Ousmane Dembélé sweeped home after a lightning-quick break – only for the goal to be ruled out for a shove by Ugarte in the build-up. A second goal would indeed come minutes later – the former Barcelona winger once again involved, as his low shot was parried by Mike Maignan straight into the path of Randal Kolo Muani for a simple, close-range finish.

There was no way back for the Italians – the only attacking threat would come from Rafael Leão meandering solo runs, and some wayward crosses – none of which would ever reach Olivier Giroud. PSG would eventually wrap up the win with a goal from substitute Kang-in Lee, with Zaïre-Emery once again providing the assist.

While the collapse in Newcastle is not yet a distant blip, tonight’s display does offer some much-needed reassurance, with PSG returning to the top of Group F. Luis Enrique’s honeymoon period may not be over just yet.

PSG player ratings:

Gianluigi Donnarumma, 7 – Coming up against his formative club, the Italian initially looked to be struggling when put under pressure when PSG built out from the back. He was not forced into a mistake, though, and was authoritative in keeping the Rossoneri out in the second half.

Achraf Hakimi, 7

Marquinhos, 6 – Faced a tough battle up against Leão and mostly came out on top. His technical ease was important in releasing pressure during build-up play, in the midst of a shaky first 20 minutes for the hosts.

Milan Škriniar, 6

Lucas Hernández, 6

Warren Zaïre-Emery, 7 – It’s scarcely believable that the midfielder doesn’t turn 18 until next March, given the consistently assured performances he turns in both on domestic and continental stages. He was once again instrumental in breaking down an unflinching Milan defence with his incisive runs – his assist for Kylian Mbappé’s opener, which saw him fend off two defenders before threading the pass through, was the highlight of an impressive performance. Added another assist – to make it three for the European campaign – for Kang-in Lee’s goal at the end of the game.

Manuel Ugarte, 5 – PSG’s player of the season so far was slightly below his usually high standards, but remained a dependable presence in breaking up prospective Milan moves. Let down by some wayward passing and a barge on Musah which saw Dembélé’s goal ruled out after half time. Replaced by Fabián Ruiz.

Vitinha, 6

Ousmane Dembélé, 6

Randal Kolo Muani, 6 – The Frenchman justifying his selection ahead of Gonçalo Ramos – some darting runs forward and precise link-up play providing an important outlet for the hosts. Scored the second goal of the game with a close-range finish. Replaced by Ramos for the final ten minutes.

Kylian Mbappé, 7 – Continued his return to form with a trademark sweeping finish inside the near post, and generally combined well with his attacking partners while confirming a return to his incisive best. Came close to a brace several times, notably hitting the post at the end of the game.

Milan player ratings:

Théo Hernandez, 4 – The French international was beaten several times by a resurgent Dembélé, but was mostly able to hold his ground and swung in several crosses from the left – none of which could meet Olivier Giroud’s head.

Rafael Leão, 5 – The former Lille man was incisive in the opening exchanges of the game and managed to get a couple of shots away. His influence on the game understandably diminished as a more assured PSG display in the second half deprived Milan of further opportunities to counter.

GFFN | Raphaël Jucobin

Toulouse excelled upon their return to the top flight last season. Under Philippe Montanier, Le TéFéCé finished 13th in Ligue 1 and also won the Coupe de France. Their triumph in France’s only cup competition earned them a spot in the Europa League this season. However, despite Toulouse’s success, Montanier lost his job at the end of the season. An underperformance based on data projections was cited as the reason behind what was viewed as an extremely harsh sacking. 

Carles Martínez Novell replaced Montanier at Toulouse, stepping up from his previous role as assistant. Whilst Toulouse have been less convincing this season, they do nonetheless sit 10th in Ligue 1. Novell’s side have drawn half of their matches, including their match against Stade de Reims over the weekend. 

Toulouse are currently unbeaten (one win, one draw) in their Europa League group ahead of Thursday’s trip to Anfield. Whilst Liverpool will be favourites, Klopp is wary of his opponent. “Toulouse deserve our respect. It is a really interesting story I’d say […] this season they are a brilliant, very talented team […] they have clear ideas. We need to see how they turn up here. We really don’t know. In all of their matches, we could see that they tried to play forward. They took a point against PSG, which is huge of course,” said Klopp in a pre-match press conference, transcribed by L’Équipe.

GFFN | Luke Entwistle

Al-Khelaifi is often present at the Parc des Princes to watch PSG’s matches. He is often also present at PSG training the day before a European encounter, however, he was not at the club’s training centre in Poissy on Tuesday. Al-Khelaifi’s absence has now been explained. L’Équipe are reporting that PSG’s president has undergone emergency knee surgery. Nonetheless, he was keen to be in attendance at the Parc des Princes on Wednesday night and was willing to go to the match on crutches. However, he will instead remain in hospital for the rest of the week. Al-Khelaifi will also be absent from the Ballon d’Or ceremony in Paris next Monday.  

Whilst Al-Khelaifi won’t be at the match against AC Milan, he did nonetheless speak with Luis Campos and Luis Enrique on the phone ahead of the tie. 

GFFN | Luke Entwistle