Ten-man Lens denied Paris Saint-Germain a second trophy in five days on Sunday, with Florian Thauvin’s first-half goal securing a 1-0 victory in the French Champions’ Trophy.
Lens produced a deserved win in their first match under new coach Dino Toppmoeller, adding the trophy to the French Cup they won under former manager Pierre Sage in May.
PSG, who defeated Aston Villa in the UEFA Super Cup on Wednesday, struggled to find their rhythm at Lens’ Stade Bollaert-Delelis despite the hosts playing with 10 men for most of the second half.
“I think we deserved more,” PSG coach Luis Enrique said.
“But I have to congratulate Lens — they won, and they played very well, with their usual intensity.
“We played a very good match, but we didn’t have the luck we needed.”
PSG will now turn their attention to the start of their Ligue 1 title defence, with Rennes visiting the Parc des Princes in a week.
They will be without Portugal defender Nuno Mendes for that match after he was sent off late against Lens.
Lens, who finished runners-up to PSG in Ligue 1 last season, qualified for the Champions’ Trophy by winning their first French Cup, beating Nice 3-1 in the final.
Luis Enrique named a strong PSG side, making just three changes from the team that won the Super Cup. Among them was Lucas Digne, making his second debut for the club after returning from Aston Villa.
Bradley Barcola, who has been widely linked with a possible move to Liverpool, was not included in the squad.
Lens take their chance
PSG dominated possession in the opening stages but struggled to create clear-cut opportunities, with Lens goalkeeper Robin Risser comfortably saving a shot from Khvicha Kvaratskhelia.
Lens gradually grew into the match and took the lead in the 32nd minute. PSG failed to clear a dangerous ball, allowing Thauvin to finish at the back post from Matthieu Udol’s cross-shot.
The hosts were reduced to 10 men six minutes before half-time when Kyllian Antonio was shown a straight red card for a studs-up challenge on Maghnes Akliouche.
PSG nearly capitalised before the break, but Désiré Doué’s effort from a tight angle struck the crossbar.
The European champions continued to struggle after the restart, while Lens remained dangerous on the counter-attack. Thauvin came close to doubling the lead but fired narrowly wide.
PSG substitute Mendes almost levelled with a dipping long-range effort that flew just over the crossbar.
Luis Enrique introduced Fabián Ruiz and Ousmane Dembélé as he sought an equaliser, but Dembélé’s effort was comfortably saved by Risser.
PSG were reduced to 10 men themselves with three minutes remaining when Mendes received a straight red card for elbowing Lens wing-back Michal Skóraś in the face off the ball.
Lens held on through the closing minutes to secure a memorable victory and claim the Champions’ Trophy at the expense of the reigning French champions.
AFP
