Lens vs Como – News and Probable Lineups

Currently sitting outside the top 24 of the Champions League, Lens is looking to even the score with Como when they clash at Stade Bollaert-Delelis on Wednesday evening.

After their memorable win over Manchester United, the Italian newcomers have secured six points, while Lens trails behind with three, positioned below the playoff zone.

Match overview

After kicking off their fourth Champions League season with an exhilarating 3-2 comeback victory against Slavia Prague, Lens has not been able to secure any points in their following matches.

Lens was first defeated 2-0 at their home ground by Sporting Lisbon, and subsequently lost 3-0 in an away game against Club Brugge.

Incredibly, it has been 16 matches and nearly 28 years since they last managed to keep a clean sheet in the Champions League.

Returning to top European competition after finishing second in Ligue 1 last season, a sluggish start prompted new head coach Dino Toppmoller to quickly make way for Yannick Cahuzac.

Although Toppmoller’s successor began the league campaign positively with three consecutive wins, his team suffered defeat against their fierce local rivals in their most recent outing.

Lille achieved a late victory with a goal from Olivier Giroud during the 125th Derby du Nord on Friday, leaving Lens in ninth place in the French top division.

Now, Cahuzac’s squad is under pressure to secure maximum points, as they likely require at least two additional victories from the remaining five Champions League fixtures.

Como moved closer to advancing in the knockout stage last month by dominating Manchester United 4-1 in a memorable match at Stadio Sinigaglia, where their standout player Nico Paz scored twice.

Regardless of United’s struggles, this was a significant milestone for a club that has just returned to Italy’s top division two years prior, having been in Serie D as recently as 2019.

Under the guidance of Cesc Fabregas, Como’s tally of 10 goals in their initial three matches is the highest ever for a debutant in UEFA’s premier competition since 1973, with all goals coming from open play.

Paz and leading scorer Tasos Douvikas have already combined for five goals in the Champions League, and they have been even more effective in Serie A, with a total of 11 goal contributions between them.

Since their 3-2 loss to Feyenoord on matchday two, Como has embarked on a streak of five straight victories across all competitions, netting 13 goals while conceding just three.

Lucas Da Cunha, a new addition to the França squad, played a pivotal role in their 1-0 win against rock-bottom Venezia on Sunday, helping the Lariani reach a club-record 23 points from their first 10 matches.

Now in fourth place – the same position they finished last season – Como remains closely within reach of Italy’s current top three, and few would exclude them from the race for the Scudetto.

Team News

On Wednesday, Lens will be without several players, including defenders Ismaelo Ganiou and Maik Nawrocki as well as forwards Abdalllah Sima and Odsonne Edouard.

The latter has had surgery for an adductor injury and might be sidelined until 2027, thus Franjo Ivanovic is anticipated to spearhead the attack for the hosts.

Meanwhile, Equadorian wing-back Jhoanner Chavez is still uncertain due to a hamstring issue.

Veteran midfielder Florian Thauvin has created the most opportunities in the opening three matchdays of the Champions League (15), while Como’s Paz has been directly involved in five goals.

Douvikas has found the net in all three of the Lariani’s group-stage matches, making both players crucial to Fabregas’ strategy.

The Catalan manager will also be without Moise Kean, Trevoh Chalobah, Jesus Rodriguez, and Assane Diao due to injuries, while Jayden Addai remains doubtful.

Goalkeeper Jean Butez has recently taken the place of Robin Risser of Lens in the França squad, sometimes alternating with Chelsea loanee Robert Sanchez.

Lens probable starting XI:

Risser; Aguilar, Baidoo, Todibo; Abdulhamid, Cuisance, Haidara, Udol; Thauvin, Sotoca; Ivanovich

Como probable starting XI:

Butez; Smolcic, Kempf, Ramon, Valle; Perrone, Ricci; Da Cunha, Paz, Baturina; Douvikas

Even though the match sample size is small, Como has demonstrated a tendency to start strong in Europe, having scored first – and in the first half – in all three of their Champions League fixtures.

The Lariani also possess an attacking threat that Lens simply cannot withstand, suggesting they will earn nine points while leaving their hosts stranded at three.