Paris Saint-Germain failed to secure a win on the weekend against FC Lorient in a Ligue 1 matchday 32 fixture of the 2025/26 season. The Parisians, at home, drew 2-2, with goals from Ibrahim Mbaye (6th minute) and Warren Zaïre-Emery (62nd minute), while Pablo Pagis (12th minute) and Tosin Aiyegun (78th minute) scored for the visitors.
This result gave Racing Club de Lens an opportunity to climb in the standings and dangerously approach PSG. However, the Sang et Or drew 1-1 against OGC Nice, with a goal from Allan Saint-Maximin (60th minute). Les Aiglons equalized with a goal from Ali Abdi in the 84th minute.
With three matches remaining, including a direct confrontation between Lens and PSG, the title race is open. However, the scale is heavily tilted in favor of Luis Enrique’s team.
How Lens and PSG Approach the Final League Run-In
The remaining league schedule for Pierre Sage’s team is objectively more complicated than the Parisians’. Of course, facing each other is a complex challenge for both, but Lens also has to face one of the teams in the best form in the championship, which, in fact, beat PSG last month: Olympique Lyonnais.
Lens’ upcoming matches:
– vs. Nantes (Fri., May 8)
– vs. PSG (Wed., May 13)
– at Lyon (Sun., May 17)
PSG’s upcoming matches:
– vs. Brest (Sun., May 10)
– at Lens (Wed., May 13)
– at Paris FC (Sun., May 17)
At the moment, PSG leads with 70 points, while Lens is second with 64.
What Makes It So Difficult for Lens to Dethrone PSG?
For the Sang et Or, the biggest problem is not so much beating PSG, who, if they qualify for the UEFA Champions League final, could even field an alternative starting lineup to avoid fatigue or injuries, as it is the goal difference.
The Parisians currently have a goal difference of 43, while Lens’ is 28. If PSG beats Brest, which on paper is the most likely outcome, even if they lose their other two matches, Pierre Sage’s team would not only have to win their three remaining matches to tie the Parisians on points, but do so with an almost impossible number of goals.
The most viable option for Lens, in addition to winning all their matches, is for PSG to lose all of theirs. In other words, they do not depend entirely on themselves.
The Coupe de France Impact on Lens
With all the above in mind, it is likely that Lens will not be afraid to rotate their squad, as PSG did, in the final stretch of Ligue 1. The reason is different from that of the Parisians, who want to prioritize, above all else, a second Champions League title, but it is no less important.
It should be noted that Lens is qualified for the 2026 Coupe de France final, to be played on May 22 at the Stade de France against Nice.
It may surprise many, but despite the local team’s good form, they have never won the Coupe de France.
In terms of national cups, Lens has one Coupe de la Ligue (1998/99), a competition that has not existed since 2020, and three Coupe Charles Drago titles (1958/59, 1959/60, 1964/65), an old consolation title that was contested between teams eliminated before the quarterfinals of the Coupe de France.
Ending a historic season with a title would be a spectacular gift from the club to its fans, so it would not be surprising if Pierre Sage prioritized preparing well for the French Cup final.
