{"id":17063,"date":"2025-12-11T16:41:31","date_gmt":"2025-12-11T16:41:31","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/eplvip.com\/index.php\/2025\/12\/11\/lens-are-expected-to-hold-off-french-powerhouse-psg-and-maintain-a-surprising-lead-in-ligue-1\/"},"modified":"2025-12-11T16:41:31","modified_gmt":"2025-12-11T16:41:31","slug":"lens-are-expected-to-hold-off-french-powerhouse-psg-and-maintain-a-surprising-lead-in-ligue-1","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/eplvip.com\/index.php\/2025\/12\/11\/lens-are-expected-to-hold-off-french-powerhouse-psg-and-maintain-a-surprising-lead-in-ligue-1\/","title":{"rendered":"Lens are expected to hold off French powerhouse PSG and maintain a surprising lead in Ligue 1"},"content":{"rendered":"


\n<\/p>\n

\n

PARIS (AP) \u2014 Lens won its only French league title 27 years ago. However, the northern club have defied the odds this season, topping the Ligue 1 table ahead of defending champions Paris Saint-Germain.<\/p>\n

Reims, long known as a mining town, has a passionate and loyal fanbase that ensures a passionate atmosphere at the 38,000-capacity Stade Borard-d’Eleris, which has performed well so far.<\/p>\n

Guided by the goal-scoring winger’s talent Florian Thauvin<\/span>Lens will head into matchday 16 with a one-point lead over PSG.<\/p>\n

major matches<\/h2>\n

Lens face Nice at home on Sunday completely confused<\/span> After 7 consecutive losses.<\/p>\n

Despite significant support from chemical giant Ineos, which it acquired six years ago, Nice still seems unable to find the right formulation, leading some fans to turned on the player<\/span>.<\/p>\n

PSG will play on Saturday against Metz, who are at the bottom of the table after losing three games in a row.<\/p>\n

Third-placed Marseille are five points behind the leaders and cannot afford to drop points when they face Monaco at home on Sunday.<\/p>\n

Fourth-placed Lille are level on points with Marseille and will visit struggling side Auxerre on Sunday.<\/p>\n

Featured players<\/h2>\n

Another Mbapp\u00e9 is starting to make a name for himself in French football.<\/p>\n

Ethan Mbapp\u00e9 is the younger brother of the French international and Real Madrid striker. Kylian Mbappe<\/span>. <\/p>\n

Unlike his superstar brother, the 18-year-old plays in a midfield role but still finds the back of the net for Lille. He scored the winning goal against Marseille last Friday, increasing his league tally to three goals and one assist in just eight games. <\/p>\n

He also scored the equalizing goal<\/span> He played against his former club PSG earlier this season and showed his ability to score goals in big games. Injuries have slowed Ethan’s progress in his career, but Lille manager Bruno Genesio is hopeful he can play regularly.<\/p>\n

“If his body allows, he could be a starter candidate,” Genesio said. \u201cHe\u2019s a really interesting player and I hope he continues to improve and continue to train unflinchingly.\u201d<\/p>\n

Marseille forward Mason Greenwood produced a clinical display in Tuesday’s 3-2 Champions League win over Union Saint Giroise.<\/p>\n

He is Ligue 1’s top scorer with 10 goals and has scored 13 goals in 20 games this season, compared to 22 in 36 games last season.<\/p>\n

Desiree Duet<\/span> He could potentially start for PSG once he returns from injury. <\/p>\n

The 20-year-old forward, who starred when PSG won the Champions League, came on as a substitute in Wednesday’s game against Athletic Bilbao. It was the first appearance since tear a muscle<\/span> Injured his right thigh on October 30th.<\/p>\n

Activity suspended<\/h2>\n

Lens central defender Jonathan Gradit has been sidelined for an extended period due to a fractured shin he sustained during training.<\/p>\n

Monaco awaits health of goal-scoring winger Ansu Fati<\/span>suffered a minor hamstring injury.<\/p>\n

PSG goalkeeper Lucas Chevalier and right-back Achraf Hakimi are recovering from ankle injuries, while Marseille forward Amin Gouiri is recovering from shoulder surgery.<\/p>\n

off the field<\/h2>\n

Tensions are rising between French soccer fans and riot police.<\/p>\n

Saint-Etienne fans condemned “police brutality” after last Saturday’s 1-0 defeat at Dunkirk.<\/p>\n

“Saint-Etienne supporters were subjected to indiscriminate and extremely violent violence by police officers who were in the away section,” the Green Angels supporters group said in a statement. Posted in X<\/span>. “Police were ordered to charge in a confined space, even though there were no supporters hostile to the police.” <\/p>\n

The Green Angels said some fans were hit with batons, while others were hit with flash balls and tear gas.<\/p>\n

In September, Lens supporters said they were surrounded by aggressive riot police with baton shields as they arrived at a pre-designated area ahead of a match against PSG.<\/p>\n

Lens supporters said they were prevented from getting off the bus by riot police (known as CRS) outside. The female passenger was not even allowed to go outside to use the restroom, even though she requested it.<\/p>\n

___<\/p>\n

AP Soccer: https:\/\/apnews.com\/hub\/soccer<\/span><\/p>\n<\/p><\/div>\n


\n
Source link <\/a><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

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