1 March 2023 at 17:15

21
Full Time
Referee: C. Turpin

Match Summary

Nantes defeated Lens 2:1. The match was played in Coupe de France 2022. Goals were scored by S. Fofana 28′, A. Delort 31′ (pen.), A. Delort 59′ (pen.). 1 yellow cards were shown. Nantes had 39% possession while Lens held 61%. Nantes had 9 shots (4 on target) compared to 20 (7 on target) for Lens. Nantes made 4 substitutions, Lens made 4.

Match Events

Key match events between Nantes and Lens — 3 goals and 1 cards recorded during the match.

Nantes
Lens
Kick Off
19′
F. MedinaD. Machado
A. Delort

Penalty

31′
Half Time
A. Delort

Penalty

59′
64′
M. HaïdaraA. Fulgini
64′
J. Le CardinalP. Frankowski
E. GuessandM. Simon
74′
A. DelortMostafa Mohamed
75′
F. MolletL. Blas
75′
77′
David CostaA. Thomasson
I. GanagoS. Corchia
82′
90+1′Jean-Louis Leca
Full Time

Match Statistics

Nantes had 39% possession against Lens's 61%. Nantes registered 9 shots (4 on target) while Lens managed 20 (7 on target). Corner kicks: 3–7. Fouls committed: 8–9.

4Shots on Goal7
4Shots off Goal10
9Total Shots20
1Blocked Shots3
6Shots insidebox13
3Shots outsidebox7
8Fouls9
3Corner Kicks7
2Offsides2
39%Ball Possession61%
0Yellow Cards1
0Red Cards0
5Goalkeeper Saves2
350Total passes552
276Passes accurate488
79%Passes %88%
0expected_goals0

Lineups

Nantes lined up in a 4-2-3-1 formation under A. Kombouare, while Lens deployed a 3-4-2-1 under F. Haise.

Squad Ratings

The overall squad rating for Nantes is 7.10, compared to 7.02 for Lens. This metric is derived from each player's average match rating across all league appearances this season — anything above 7.00 is considered strong, while below 6.50 signals inconsistency. Nantes's highest-rated starter is F. Centonze (7.20), while Lens's best-rated player is F. Medina (7.20).

Attacking Output

The starting XI of Nantes have contributed 1 goals and 1 assists this season, led by F. Centonze (1G). Lens's starters account for 1 goals and 1 assists, spearheaded by F. Sotoca (1G). Goals reflect clinical finishing and chance creation, while assists highlight the ability to unlock defences through through-balls, crosses, and set pieces.

Defensive Solidity

Nantes deploy 4 defenders rated 7.20 on average, against Lens's 3-man backline averaging 6.96. Higher defensive ratings suggest better positional awareness, fewer individual errors, and a greater likelihood of keeping clean sheets. The rating accounts for tackles won, interceptions, aerial duels, and blocks throughout the season.

Midfield Control

Nantes field 5 midfielders averaging 7.00, versus Lens's 4 rated —. Midfield ratings reflect passing accuracy, interceptions, key passes, and overall control of possession — the team that dominates midfield typically dictates the tempo and territory of the match.

Forward Threat

Nantes start 1 forward(s) averaging —, compared to 3 for Lens averaging 7.13. Forward ratings capture shot accuracy, movement off the ball, dribbling success, and involvement in build-up play — they indicate who carries the greater goal threat on the day.

Passing & Build-Up

Passing accuracy averages 57% for Nantes and 83% for Lens. Higher passing accuracy generally indicates a possession-based style with patient build-up through the thirds, while lower figures may suggest a more direct, counter-attacking approach with long balls and quick transitions.

Discipline

Nantes's starters have collected 1 yellow cards this season, compared to 2 for Lens. Yellow cards reflect how aggressively a team presses and tackles — a high count may indicate a physical, high-pressing style but also risks suspensions and late free-kicks in dangerous areas.

Age & Experience

The average age of Nantes's starting XI is 27.5 (youngest: I. Ganago (26), oldest: F. Centonze (29)), while Lens average 31.3 (youngest: F. Medina (26), oldest: F. Sotoca (35)). Younger squads typically offer pace, energy, and pressing intensity, while experienced lineups bring composure, game management, and the ability to handle high-pressure moments.

Squad Depth

Nantes's starters average 1 league appearances each, versus 5 for Lens. High appearance counts indicate an established, well-drilled unit that the manager trusts week in and week out. Lower figures may suggest rotation, injuries, or emerging players still earning their place in the team.

Nantes4-2-3-13-4-2-1Lens
GKDEFMIDFWD
16Descamps28Centonze3Girotto21Castell.26Hadjam8Moutous.25Mollet17Sissoko7Guessand14Ganago99Delort16Leca24Gradit4Danso14Medina25Cardinal26Samed8Fofana21Haïdara7Sotoca10Costa11Openda

Substitutes

Coach: A. Kombouare

Substitutes

Coach: F. Haise

NantesPosition StrengthLens
7.10
Avg Rating
7.02
7.20Defender (4 v 3)6.96
1G 1A0G 0A
7.00Midfielder (5 v 4)
0G 0A0G 0A
Forward (1 v 3)7.13
0G 0A1G 1A
Nantes4-2-3-1
16GoalkeeperR. Descamps
28DefenderF. Centonze7.21G1A
3DefenderAndrei Girotto
21DefenderJ. Castelletto
26DefenderJ. Hadjam
8MidfielderS. Moutoussamy
25MidfielderF. Mollet
17MidfielderM. Sissoko
7MidfielderE. Guessand
14MidfielderI. Ganago7.0
99ForwardA. Delort
Lens3-4-2-1
16GoalkeeperJ. Leca
24DefenderJ. Gradit6.7
4DefenderK. Danso
14DefenderF. Medina7.2
25MidfielderJ. Le Cardinal
26MidfielderS. Abdul Samed
8MidfielderS. Fofana
21MidfielderM. Haïdara
7ForwardF. Sotoca7.11G1A
10ForwardDavid Costa
11ForwardL. Openda

Recent Form

In their last 6 matches, Nantes have recorded 0 wins, 3 draws and 3 defeats. Lens show 4 wins, 0 draws and 2 losses from their last 6 outings.

Nantes

LDDDLL

Lens

WWLWLW

Nantes vs Lens Head to Head Results

Nantes and Lens have met 18 times — Nantes won 6, Lens won 8, with 4 draws. Their rivalry dates back to 2011. Lens leads the head-to-head with 8 victories from 18 meetings. A combined 51 goals have been scored across these fixtures, averaging 2.83 per match (24 for the home side, 27 for the visitors). Both teams scored in 10 matches (56%). Over 2.5 goals landed in 10 games (56%), making it a fixture that tends to produce goals. The highest-scoring encounter finished 2–4 in 2021.

6

Nantes

4

Drawn

8

Lens

Goals: 24Goals: 27

Recent Meetings (18)

6 Dec 2025Nantes1 – 2Lens
23 Feb 2025Nantes3 – 1Lens
9 Nov 2024Lens3 – 2Nantes
3 Feb 2024Nantes0 – 1Lens
28 Oct 2023Lens4 – 0Nantes
19 Feb 2023Lens3 – 1Nantes
18 Sept 2022Nantes0 – 0Lens
30 Apr 2022Lens2 – 2Nantes
10 Dec 2021Nantes3 – 2Lens
10 Feb 2021Nantes2 – 4Lens
Statistics are for informational purposes only. Past performance does not guarantee future results.

API data: 8 Apr 2026