Strasbourg’s season began in disastrous fashion with a 4-0 drubbing that exposed a blunt attack and a porous backline, while Lens romped to a 5-2 win behind a 4.45 xG performance. Both sides are missing regulars and their designated top scorers, but the visitors still field a…
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Sign inStrasbourg welcome Lens to the Stade de la Meinau on Saturday afternoon as both sides look to set an early marker in the 2026-27 Ligue 1 campaign. The hosts fell to a Gouiri-inspired Marseille on the opening weekend, while Lens dispatched Auxerre with a pair of Florian Thauvin penalties.
Strasbourg remain without forward Joaquín Panichelli, still recovering from injury, while goalkeeper Filip Jorgensen has arrived from Chelsea’s sister club network to shore up a defence that conceded 21 goals across seven pre-season friendlies. Jacobo Ortega is yet to prove himself at this level, leaving the attack light. For Lens, Samson Baidoo (dead leg) and Nidal Celik (meniscus) missed the opener and are doubts, while Kyllian Antonio served a one-match suspension against Auxerre – his availability for this trip is uncertain. The visitors’ starting XI that day featured Robin Risser in goal and a front three of Thauvin, Abdallah Sima and Franjo Ivanovic.
Amine Gouiri’s double gave Strasbourg a losing start at the Vélodrome, continuing the defensive frailties seen throughout pre-season. Journalists at Get French Football News noted the side’s lack of European football this season could be a blessing, allowing full focus on Ligue 1, but the new manager—whose appointment drew some doubt—needs a quick response. With goals hard to come by without Panichelli, a low-scoring affair may be on the cards.
Dino Toppmöller’s seamless transition into the Lens dugout has impressed observers. Despite losing key players and former manager Pierre Sage, the Sang et Or showed plenty of quality, cohesiveness and graft in pre-season, according to GFFN. Thauvin’s two penalties sank Auxerre in a controlled display, and with the club tipped to compete for a Europa League spot, they travel to Strasbourg full of confidence.
This match pits a Lens forward line brimming with experience against a rearguard that has yet to prove its solidity. Thauvin’s penalty-box nous and Sima’s direct running will test Jorgensen and a backline that looked vulnerable against Marseille. For Strasbourg, the key is surviving the early storm; any repeat of their pre-season generosity could see Lens pull away before half-time.
A first home win of the season would ease the early pressure on Strasbourg’s new boss, while Lens know an away victory would cement their strong start and send an early signal in the race for European places.
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