Lens Beats Lyon 2-1 at Bollaert in Ligue 1

RC Lens defeated Olympique Lyonnais 2-1 at Bollaert to secure Yannick Cahuzac's first win as coach and end Lyon's unbeaten Ligue 1 start, with the result coming after Lens had struggled in recent league matches.

According to Eurosport.fr, Lens entered the match after three defeats and one draw in its previous four league games. The victory temporarily lifted Lens to seventh place, while Lyon remained second with 11 points according to DAZN.

Lens coach Yannick Cahuzac highlighted Lyon's quality before the match and later praised his players' response. He told Eurosport.fr that his team needed confidence and preparation after the international break.

"Lyon is a big team in the championship, one of the three teams that have not lost yet. They have the best defense, they are a formidable opponent." said Yannick Cahuzac, Lens coach.

Cahuzac used the three-week pause to prepare his squad, with Lens showing more attacking intensity and resilience during the match. The coach also credited the team's work and mentality after the victory.

"We must not get carried away and continue working to reproduce this kind of performance, but I am very satisfied with my team's performance." said Yannick Cahuzac, Lens coach.

"I am happy because I asked my players to play with personality, and they did it tonight. We started with a team I was able to work with for three weeks, and I wanted to give these people my confidence." said Yannick Cahuzac, Lens coach.

Florian Thauvin recorded his fourth and fifth assists of the season in the match, while he and Lens forward Florian Sotoca helped restore confidence within the squad.

"My embrace with the coach after the second goal? Behind that, there is a long history of friendship. When I started as a professional, my first contract was at Bastia, and Cahu was my captain, he was always kind to me.

He helped me a lot at the beginning of my career. I am very happy to be under his orders today, it is a shared victory." said Florian Thauvin, Lens player.

Thauvin said the change in coaching did not alter his commitment but welcomed the return of winning form in front of Lens supporters. He also described the team's renewed principles after working with Cahuzac.

"No, I was just as involved when it was Dino (Toppmöller). I liked him a lot. But yes, it feels good to get the win in front of our fans. It will give us some confidence." said Florian Thauvin, Lens player.

"I think we have found again some playing principles from last season that suited us well and suited us better." said Florian Thauvin, Lens player.

Lyon midfielder Corentin Tolisso said his team failed to match Lens' intensity, especially in the opening half. DAZN reported that Lyon improved after halftime but could not recover after Khalis Merah scored in the 85th minute.

"We wanted to do better, stay on the momentum from Rennes. We were not in it at all in the first half. They walked all over us." said Corentin Tolisso, Lyon midfielder.

Tolisso also criticized Lyon's defensive mistakes, including the free-kick situation that led to Lens' decisive goal.

"Better in the second half but we concede this goal. We cannot concede a goal from a 40-meter free kick. What we can blame ourselves for today is mainly our first half." said Corentin Tolisso, Lyon midfielder.

"I was too high up in the first half. They were always able to find players behind our defense. I dropped lower in the second half and it was better." said Corentin Tolisso, Lyon midfielder.

Lyon's midfielder said the team must move forward quickly with another competition ahead. The club's next match is in the Europa League against Crystal Palace.

"It is football. We need to move on quickly. Another match on Thursday in the Europa League.

We have to analyze, continue working. Move forward, keep this mentality, this state of mind. Give everything." said Corentin Tolisso, Lyon midfielder.

Sotoca said his starting role reflected the team's preparation, and he described the result as a positive moment before Lens' Champions League match against Sporting CP at Bollaert on Tuesday.

"Some people were surprised by my starting position? We always do everything to prepare well, I would like to play every match but there is a coach who makes choices. When you are competitive, you like to be on the field.

When you are there, you have to give everything for the team. It rewards our preparation over the last two weeks, those who were there worked very well. It feels good to be rewarded." said Florian Sotoca, Lens player.

Sotoca also described the atmosphere around the team after the victory as positive, using a short phrase after the match.

"Life is beautiful." said Florian Sotoca, Lens player.