Match at Lens

Auxerre travels to Lens on August 22 for its first Ligue 1 match. The club, led by Will Still, faces Racing Club de Lens, the French vice-champion, in the Bollaert stadium. Kickoff is scheduled for 5:15 p.m., with a pre-match at 4:45 p.m. to review team line-ups and the latest information from the stadium.

Lens, a Well-Run Machine

Lens remains a "machine that runs very well" despite the off-season changes. The club’s leadership guided the team to two trophies in a few months: the Coupe de France and the Trophée des champions. After Pierre Sage’s departure, Dino Toppmöller took over, bringing an offensive style and a three-man defense.

On the pitch, Lens keeps its three-defender setup, with wing-backs in the flanks and Florian Thauvin as the main offensive asset. Ismaëlo Ganiou, the new defensive leader, has extended his contract and is considered the club’s new star. The young player, trained at the Racing, is courted by several major European clubs.

Key Departures

Lens lost several key players. Sangaré joined Brighton for €48 million, while Thomasson moved to Rennes. New signings Titraoui and Cuisance will have to fill the void left by this duo that had largely contributed to the Racing’s performance.

Defensive Uncertainties

Lens’s defensive issues are a point of interest for Auxerre. Kyllian Antonio, expelled in the Trophée des champions against PSG, will be suspended. Gradit is still too tight, Baidoo is injured, and Aguilar, who has just become a father, should still hold his place. Journalist Sylvain Charley notes that Lens is "tinkering a bit defensively," which could provide an opening for the AJA.

Auxerre Support

For AJ Auxerre, this first day will be an opportunity to gauge Will Still’s ambitions against a club of calibre. The visitor parking is full and about 1,000 Auxerre supporters are expected at the stadium. The match will be broadcast live and in full on ICI Auxerre.

Conclusion

Auxerre arrives at Lens hoping to exploit the defensive weaknesses of the artésian side and to show its ambition from day one of the season. The match, played on August 22, promises to be a real rendez-vous for fans.