RC Lens begin Champions League campaign at Slavia Prague

RC Lens will look to reset their season in Europe when they begin their Champions League campaign away to Slavia Prague on Thursday. The match comes after consecutive Ligue 1 defeats, leaving Dino Toppmöller’s side needing a stronger performance on the continental stage.

The fixture marks Lens’ fourth appearance in the competition. Their place was secured after a season that ended with a second-place Ligue 1 finish and victory in the Coupe de France. Toppmöller, appointed to replace Pierre Sage, began his tenure by winning the Trophée des Champions 1-0 against Paris Saint-Germain, but the team’s recent league results have increased the importance of this opening European match.

Slavia’s announced XI is Markovic in goal, behind Vlcek, Zima, Konecny and Chaloupek, with Nowak, Sadilek and Provod in midfield and Ayaosi, Ouanda and Sturm leading the attack. Lens are listed with Risser, Antonio, Ganiou, Sagnan, Aguilar, Haidara, Cuisance, Skoras, Thauvin, Edouard and Hazard. Another team listing names Todibo, Abdulhamid, Bulatovic, Udol and Sima instead of several of those players, with Thauvin as captain.

Kick-off is scheduled for 21:00. Canal+ Foot will carry the match, with live streaming available through the Canal+ application and MyCanal.