RC Lens Shakes Up French Football with Title Challenge
RC Lens leads Ligue 1 with intensity, unity, and tactical coherence, defying expectations and disrupting the established order.
“The results reward the players, but development takes time. There is still room to grow...”
RC Lens is rewriting the script of French football, topping Ligue 1 for the first time since 2004. Their 2-1 win at Angers propelled them above European champions Paris St Germain and big-spending Marseille, showcasing their northern grit and tactical nous.
This rise is attributed to collective pressure, tactical clarity, and shrewd recruitment under coach Pierre Sage. Lens has maintained its identity while refining its pressing game, integrating players like Mamadou Sangare, Samson Baidoo, and Florian Thauvin.
Former president Gervais Martel praised the team, saying, "This team is a steamroller. They defend while moving forward and press opponents into mistakes. Why not dream of being champions?” Captain Adrien Thomasson admitted internal expectations had been exceeded, crediting the team's unity and hard work.
La 𝒕𝒆̂𝒕𝒆 à la 𝒇𝒆̂𝒕𝒆 🤩#FiersDEtreLensois #SCORCL pic.twitter.com/CNgHkfEL1o
— Racing Club de Lens (@RCLens) November 30, 2025
Lens coach Pierre Sage has been instrumental in the team's rise, which has been a gradual process built on collective pressure, tactical clarity, and smart recruitment. Unlike their brief lead two decades ago, this progress has been months in the making.
Sage has refined the team's pressing game, sticking to the club's identity, and made targeted additions to strengthen the squad. “We are not at our ceiling in terms of our football,” Sage said, highlighting the team's potential for further growth. “The results reward the players, but development takes time. There is still room to grow.”
Gervais Martel Sees Lens as Championship Contenders
Former Lens president Gervais Martel, who led the club to its only top-flight title in 1998, believes the current team has potential to be champions. “This team is a steamroller,” Martel said. “They defend while moving forward and press opponents into mistakes. Why not dream of being champions?”
Lens' rise is even more remarkable given their recent focus on financial restraint. Instead of big-money signings, they targeted players that fit coach Pierre Sage's system, like Mamadou Sangare, Samson Baidoo, and Florian Thauvin, who delivered a standout performance against Angers with his first Ligue 1 brace since 2019.
Thauvin dedicated his goals to injured teammate Jonathan Gradit, who's out for at least four months with a fractured leg. Gradit's absence has been felt, but the team's collective spirit has helped them push forward. The midfielder even addressed the squad from his hospital bed via video link, boosting morale.
Lens' approach has been about smart recruitment and tactical cohesion, and it's paying off. They're now at the top of Ligue 1, with players like Thauvin stepping up to make a difference.
“The coach, staff and management have done a huge job,” said forward Florian Sotoca. “Everyone is aligned, and our daily work shows on the pitch.”
Lens captain Adrien Thomasson acknowledged that the team's current position exceeds their internal expectations. “Honestly, we are here, we are exceeding our own expectations,” reflecting the team's surprise and delight at topping Ligue 1.
“At the start, we didn’t imagine being here after 14 games," Thomasson said. "But it rewards what we’re doing. We stay humble because we’re not stronger than everyone. We just deserve to be where we are.”
𝟒 𝐚̀ 𝐥𝐚 𝐬𝐮𝐢𝐭𝐞 🔝
— Racing Club de Lens (@RCLens) November 30, 2025
Valeureux, le Racing a livré un match d'équipe pour arracher un 4⃣e succès de suite et s'emparer du trône de leader pour la première fois depuis 21 ans. Un succès collectif dédié à Jonathan Gradit. Bravo Messieurs ! 👏@AngersSCO 1⃣-2⃣ RC Lens#SCORCL pic.twitter.com/SK9Zgm2aCx
RC Lens is rewriting the script of French football, topping Ligue 1 for the first time since 2004. Their rise is built on intensity, unity, and tactical coherence, led by coach Pierre Sage's shrewd recruitment and demanding pressing game. Despite being a club still adjusting to renewed ambitions, Lens's position above powerhouses PSG and Marseille is a statement that northern grit can disrupt the established order.
This achievement is even more impressive considering Lens focused on financial restraint, targeting player profiles to suit Sage's system rather than splurging on big-name signings. The team's collective spirit and resilience have earned them 31 points, a slender one-point lead over PSG.
As Lens continues to defy expectations, the question remains: can they maintain this momentum and challenge for the title? Only time will tell, but for now, they're proving that with the right approach, even the underdogs can become top dogs.
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