Lens Team News Page 5 - Soccer

Brice Samba - Keeps clean sheet Samba had four saves and allowed zero goals in Friday's 0-0 draw against Le Havre.

Impact Samba has now completed a clean sheet twice in the last four matches, allowing just two goals on 12 saves in that span. This brings his average saves per game to 2.7 in nine matches. The keeper will face off against PSV for a UCL matchup on Tuesday, who have scored 15 goals in the last five contests.

OCTOBER 24, 2023 • ROTOWIRE

David Pereira Da Costa - Ready for Champions League Costa (ankle) is in the preliminary squad for Tuesday's Champions League clash with PSV.

Impact Costa has missed seven matches in a row due to this ankle injury but is now back in the squad. The midfielder was a limited bench option before the injury and isn't expected to step into any sort of substantial role moving forward.

OCTOBER 23, 2023 • ROTOWIRE

Deiver Machado - Available against PSV Machado (rest) was called up for Tuesday's clash with PSV.

Impact Machado was rested against Le Havre after extensive travel to close the international break. The defender is now fit and available once more, likely sending Ruben Aguilar back to the bench in the Champions League.

OCTOBER 23, 2023 • ROTOWIRE

Sepe Elye Wahi - Suspension served Wahi served a one-match ban and is now eligible to return to the starting XI for a Saturday clash with Nantes.

Impact Wahi missed one match with the ban and was replaced by Wesley Said. Wahi is back in contention for the start and should be preferred option to lead the attack once more. Wahi scored twice and assisted twice in four matches before the ban.

OCTOBER 23, 2023 • ROTOWIRE

Massadio Haidara - Makes the starting XI Haidara is in the starting XI for Saturday's match against Le Havre.

Impact Haidara will be featuring for Lens for the first time in four matches after making the starting XI on Friday. It is a bit of a surprise to see him in the starting XI, seeing he has only started one other match this campaign. He may start to contend for time in the starting XI, especially with fellow defender Devier Andres Machado out injured.

OCTOBER 20, 2023 • ROTOWIRE

Morgan Guilavogui - Earns bench role Guilavogui is on the bench for Friday's match against Le Havre.

Impact Guilavogui was facing a late fitness test but was deemed healthy as he is featured on the bench for Friday's match. He had been upgraded to injured due to discomfort he felt during international duty but seems to be just fine after making the squad. He has only started one match all season, so he should be expected to continue on the bench until further notice.

OCTOBER 20, 2023 • ROTOWIRE

Deiver Machado - Doesn't travel to Havre Machado (rest) didn't travel for Friday's clash with Le Havre, according to manager Franck Haise.

Impact Machado played 95 minutes mid-week on international duty and wasn't called up for Friday's clash. With Machado unavailable it's likely that Przemyslaw Frankowski will shift to the left flank and Ruben Aguilar will be brought into the starting XI on the right side to replace Frankowski. Machado should be good to go for a Tuesday clash with PSV.

OCTOBER 20, 2023 • ROTOWIRE

Morgan Guilavogui - Facing late fitness test Guilavogui (thigh) is a doubt for Friday's trip to Le Havre, according to manager Franck Haise. "Morgan Guilavogui is uncertain and will take an exam tomorrow morning following th...

Impact Guilavogui picked the issue up on international duty but was included in the traveling squad Friday. That's a good sign that he is trending the right way but the striker will still have to pass the late fitness tests to see any minutes. Guilavogui has been a bench option in all but the opening match of 2023/24, and won't impact the starting XI even if he passes the late tests.

OCTOBER 20, 2023 • ROTOWIRE

David Pereira Da Costa - Remains out Costa (ankle) was not included in the squad list for Friday's match against Le Harve.

Impact Costa, surprisingly, is still not an option for Lens after once again being left out of the squad list. The midfielder was originally expected to return at the end of September, but even after the international break, he is still not fit to compete. There is a chance that he will make his return next Thursday against PSV or next Saturday against Nantes, but he will only be available off the bench after not starting a single match before the injury.

OCTOBER 19, 2023 • ROTOWIRE

Massadio Haidara - Included in squad list Haidara (thigh) will be an option for Friday's match against Le Harve after making the squad list.

Impact Haidara may be making his return to the pitch on Friday after making the preliminary squad. The defender has been sidelined for the past month with a tight injury, but after having an additional two weeks to heal due to the international break, he seems to be almost fully fit and ready to go. He had only started one match before his knock, so it is most likely that he will only serve as an option off the bench with minimal minutes in his first match back.

OCTOBER 19, 2023 • ROTOWIRE

Sepe Elye Wahi - Earns yellow card ban Wahi is set for a one-match ban due to yellow card accumulation.

Impact Wahi will miss a Friday trip to Le Havre due to the one-match ban. With the striker on the sideline it's likely Wesley Said who will get the start for Friday's match. Wahi has scored and assisted twice each since making the switch to Lens.

OCTOBER 11, 2023 • ROTOWIRE

Jonathan Gradit - Set for return Gradit is set to return from a one-match ban for Friday's trip to Le Havre.

Impact Gradit served his one-match ban for yellow card accumulation and is now set to return. The defender is the first name on the team sheet when fit and should be straight back into the starting XI for Friday's clash.

OCTOBER 9, 2023 • ROTOWIRE

Przemyslaw Frankowski - Assists equalizer Frankowski assisted once to go with two shots (zero on goal), four crosses (two accurate) and one corner in Sunday's 1-1 draw against Lille.

Impact Frankowski assisted Deiver Andres Machado for the equalizer in the 70th minute. He also made two interceptions, one tackle and one clearance. He has started five out of his seven appearances and this was his first league goal involvement of the season.

OCTOBER 8, 2023 • ROTOWIRE

Deiver Machado - Scores off the bench Machado scored one goal to go with one shot (one on goal) in Sunday's 1-1 draw against Lille.

Impact Machado replaced Abdukodir Khusanov in the 69th minute and scored in the 70th minute assisted by Przemyslaw Frankowski. He has started five of his eight appearances and scored thrice with two of those goals coming on the first two games of the season.

OCTOBER 8, 2023 • ROTOWIRE

Brice Samba - Concedes once to Lille Samba recorded two saves and allowed one goal in Sunday's 1-1 draw versus Lille.

Impact Samba made two saves and one clearance but conceded to Benjamin Andre in the 45+3rd minute. He has played every single game this season and has made a total of 21 saves. His only clean sheet of the season has come against Strasbourg.

OCTOBER 8, 2023 • ROTOWIRE

Jonathan Gradit - Suspended Sunday Gradit is suspended for Sunday's clash with Lille due to yellow card accumulation.

Impact Gradit will serve a one-match ban due to yellow card accumulation during Sunday's match. Abduqodir Husanov will replace him in the starting XI heading into the international break. Gradit should be straight back in the starting XI after the break after serving the ban.

OCTOBER 6, 2023 • ROTOWIRE

Florian Sotoca - Two-way impact in win Sotoca generated two shots (one on goal) and one cross (zero accurate) in Tuesday's 2-1 win against Arsenal.

Impact Sotoca had two shots (one on target) but was fairly quiet offensively outside of that. He did make three tackles (one won) to go with a block and a clearance on top of that and will look to make a bigger impact against Lille this weekend. He has started every match this campaign, playing all but six minutes for Lens.

OCTOBER 3, 2023 • ROTOWIRE

Wahi stars with goal and assist as Lens beats Arsenal 2-1 in Champions League

Striker Elye Wahi has scored one goal and expertly created the other as Lens rallied to beat Arsenal 2-1 in the Champions League

OCTOBER 3, 2023 • ASSOCIATED PRESS

Przemyslaw Frankowski - Assists against Gunners Frankowski assisted once to go with six crosses (three accurate) and two chances created in Tuesday's 2-1 win against Arsenal.

Impact Frankowski got his first assist of the season against Arsenal and made five clearances to boot. He hit three accurate crosses for just the second time this season and will be buoyed by this big performance heading into the match with Lille.

OCTOBER 3, 2023 • ROTOWIRE

Adrien Thomasson - Scores first goal of season Thomasson scored one goal to go with three shots (one on goal), four crosses (one accurate) and three corners in Tuesday's 2-1 win against Arsenal.

Impact Thomasson scored to equalize against Arsenal and was busy creatively with four crosses and three chances created. He has created nine chances across his last three matches and has had a shot on goal in his last two.

OCTOBER 3, 2023 • ROTOWIRE

Sepe Elye Wahi - Hot streak continues in win Elye Wahi scored one goal and assisted once from two shots and one chance created in Tuesday's 2-1 win over Arsenal.

Impact Wahi scored and assisted to give him two goals and two assists across his last three appearances, one of which was as a sub. Lens' record signing appears to be worth the sum due to his age and massive potential although he is yet to play a full match so far this season.

OCTOBER 3, 2023 • ROTOWIRE

Brice Samba - Season-high six saves in win Samba made six saves and allowed one goal in Tuesday's 2-1 win against Arsenal.

Impact Samba needed to have a big day in goal for Lens to have a chance in this one and he made numerous big stops to keep them in it after they went a goal down. Next up is Lille at home at the weekend.

OCTOBER 3, 2023 • ROTOWIRE

Lens vs Arsenal: Extended Highlights | UCL Group Stage MD 2

OCTOBER 3, 2023 • YOUTUBE

David Pereira Da Costa - Remains unavailable Costa (ankle) was left out of the squad to face Arseanl on Tuesday.

Impact Costa was reportedly nearing a return to action and training with the club at the end of September but still has not rejoined the squad. At this point, the midfielder should probably be considered out indefinitely and seems unlikely to return prior to the upcoming international break.

OCTOBER 3, 2023 • ROTOWIRE

Massadio Haidara - Won't be available against Arsenal Haidara (thigh) will not be active for Tuesday's match against Arsenal after being left out of the preliminary squad.

Impact Haidara will be absent for another match after being left out of the preliminary squad for the third straight match. He could close in on a return for Sunday's match against Lille, but will most likely only be an option off of the bench, apperaing in four matches this season with only one being as a starter.

OCTOBER 2, 2023 • ROTOWIRE

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Wahi stars with goal and assist as Lens beats Arsenal 2-1 in Champions League