Florian Thauvin Set for First North Derby with Lens Against Lille

À Lens, France – Florian Thauvin will play his first North Derby for RC Lens this Saturday at Stade Bollaert against rivals LOSC Lille. The match comes after a turbulent history with Lille, where he signed in 2013 but never played a game before transferring to Olympique de Marseille.

As anticipation builds for the derby, Thauvin, who was part of the 2018 World Cup-winning French team, is expected to confront a hostile crowd, especially given his previous association with Lille. He joined Lens in early August, stirring emotions among devoted Lille supporters.

The tension surrounding Thauvin is not new. It stems from a brief, complicated time with LOSC, consisting of 215 days marked by chaos, few trainings, and ego conflicts. Lille initially acquired the Bastia star when he was seen as a rising talent, only to see his ambitions change when Marseille offered him a significantly higher salary.

In a press conference leading up to the derby, Thauvin expressed his disappointment regarding Lille’s failure to qualify for European competitions, which was part of the appeal for him to join the club in the first place. Despite any lingering resentment, he emphasized that he holds no grudges going into the match.

The North Derby is known for its high stakes, and the rivalry is fierce. Lens has struggled in its recent encounters, having not won any of the last six meetings against Lille. The last home victory at Bollaert dates back to September 2021.

Support for Lens remains strong, with a public training session drawing 2,500 fans eager to back their team. Players and staff are focused on instilling the derby’s significance in the new recruits and preparing them for the challenges ahead.

Ahead of the match, manager Pierre Sage highlighted the historical context of the derby and the urgency for his team to perform, stating, “This match is important for us and our region.” He underscored the need for Lens players to embrace the rivalry’s intensity.

With the match set for Saturday at 21h05, fans are hopeful for a change in fortunes against Lille, aiming for victory in this heated clash.