Lens manager Pierre Sage has made no secret of his side's objective ahead of their Ligue 1 clash with Nantes: nothing less than a victory. Speaking in the pre-match press conference, Sage emphasized that the team has an absolute duty to secure all three points to solidify their hold on second place in the standings.
With Lyon breathing down their necks, Sage acknowledged the threat posed by the resurgent OL side, who currently sit third. “The calendar and the performances they are putting together make us think they absolutely want to be in the top three. If they can overtake us, they won't hesitate,” Sage said. “But it's up to us to accelerate and keep the distance. By being masters of our own destiny, we need a win to leave them behind.”
The match against Nantes comes at a crucial juncture, with Lens also looking ahead to a packed schedule including fixtures against Paris Saint-Germain on May 13 and Olympique Lyonnais on May 17, before the Coupe de France final against Nice on May 22. Sage stressed the importance of managing the squad carefully, which influenced the decision to leave out key attackers Florian Thauvin and Allan Saint-Maximin.
“Do we have to worry about the absence of Thauvin and Saint-Maximin against Nantes? No, it's precautionary, just minor alerts,” Sage explained. “We have to take them to the following matches, not risk that they finish their season because of impatience on our part. We made the medical decision not to include them in the squad this weekend.” He added that the upcoming high-stakes games were a factor, noting that at some point, the duo will need playing time to regain rhythm.
Sage’s message was clear: the team’s season-long efforts demand a runner-up finish. “Given the season we are all living together, it would be out of the question to consider any other position than second, even if we always have an eye looking a little higher,” he stated. The Lens boss remains focused on controlling what they can, urging his players to deliver against Nantes to keep the pressure on their rivals.
As Ligue 1 enters its final stretch, every point matters. Lens currently occupy second place, but Lyon’s strong form means the margin for error is slim. Sage’s call for an absolute duty to win reflects the high stakes, with the club aiming to secure a direct Champions League qualification spot and build momentum ahead of their cup final.
Based on reporting from Foot - actualités, mercato, info & vidéo en continu.