RC Lens: Supporters Rally for Decisive Season

With the Champions Trophy match against Paris Saint-Germain on August 16th, following a strong second-place finish in the league last season, RC Lens is gearing up for another Champions League campaign just two years after their last appearance. While the challenges are significant, the team can count on the unwavering support and belief of their fans.

After 87 days, the roar of the Bollaert stadium returned as fans eagerly awaited their team's comeback. The reopening on Saturday, August 8th, for a friendly against Sunderland provided a much-anticipated atmosphere ahead of an ambitious season.

Champions Trophy Next Sunday

Lens fans are realistic about the difficulty of matching last season's achievements, especially after their French Cup victory on May 22nd. New coach Dino Toppmöller faces the task of surpassing his predecessor, Pierre Sage, who departed for Crystal Palace in June 2026. The Champions Trophy will be the first real test for the German coach, recently arrived from Frankfurt.

Supporters are confident. "We're here to believe. We'll give them strength. We need them, and they need us," says Fabien. Alexandre believes the team can win the trophy, noting, "For now, PSG hasn't got all their players back yet. They lost 3-0 to a Spanish second division team (Mallorca), so we have hope. Plus, the match is in Lens, so why not!" The boycott of the match by the Collectif Ultras Paris due to the lack of a neutral venue could also provide an advantage to Lens's "12th man."

New Champions League Participation

The hopes of the Lens faithful also extend to the Champions League, which begins in September. However, on this front, most prefer a more measured approach. "It's great to see how we've evolved in recent years, but we shouldn't be too demanding. We were in Ligue 2 not so long ago, so we must not forget where we came from," says Alexis. Fabien echoes this caution: "We're not a club that can claim to win it, but we'll at least defend ourselves with our strengths, enjoying the experience as much as possible because we don't get the chance to play it every year." Alexandre, however, hopes Lens will do better than two years ago when they finished third in their group, aiming for the knockout stages this time.

Improvement in the League?

After securing second place in the league last season, can RC Lens aim for even better this year? Fabien is unsure: "To go for first place in the league would be great, but we know the Parisian giant is ahead, so it's not easy." Alexandre is more pragmatic: "We have to be realistic; I think the management is aiming for at least the top 8. If we can achieve that, it's already good."

For the majority of supporters interviewed, the league ambition is to replicate last season's success. The transfer window has fueled optimism, with the return of Thorgan Hazard, a product of the club's academy, and significant profits from player sales (Sangaré, Khusanov, Openda, El Aynaoui...) totaling 135 million euros, bolstering hopes for an even more successful season than the last.