Lens are paving the way to create one of those memorable football stories. A modest French team, little known or even unknown to the average fan, is currently the isolated leader of Ligue 1. Behind this surprising success, there is elite management, meticulous signings and a bet on a coach who gave way to Paulo Fonseca at Lyon. O More football he spoke to French journalists, who opened the book on the reasons for the success and expectations for this final stretch of the season. Lens is in first place with 43 points - one less than second, PSG. Since returning to the top flight in 2021, the team from the north of France has typically finished between seventh and eighth place. “Seeing them at the top of the League in January was something few people could have imagined. At the beginning of the season, the objective was simply to avoid relegation, with a possible fight for a European place if things went well", began by mentioning Valentin Carpentier, journalist for the Ligue 1+ channel. Jean Bommel, journalist at RMC Sport, praised the number of victories. Lens even broke the club's record for consecutive victories: there are now ten in a row (nine for the League and one for the Cup). «It's a great surprise, but it's also work. We don't win so many games by chance. 14 out of 18 is huge. It is a phenomenon that was not predicted, but when you look closer, there are many elements that are positive», he said. The first point worth highlighting is, in fact, the joint work between the management and the entire structure of the club, as highlighted by Jean Bommel. «They built a team in which all the stars are aligned. Everyone understands each other well and discusses a lot among themselves, so everything is fluid. It is the basis to explain this phenomenon a little», he said. However, there is one more predominant factor that helps explain the start of the season: the summer market. Lens lost important figures from last season. He was, therefore, forced to reinvent himself down to the smallest detail. «Each new hire had an almost immediate impact», began by mentioning Valentin. One of the names that immediately comes to mind is Thauvin, World Champion for France in 2018. “He is a bit of a father to the young people, he inspires and makes the team evolve”, said Jean Bommel. The 32-year-old forward left Udinese, from Italy, for Lens, thus returning to his home country. The good performances even made Thauvin return to the French team six years later. But the list of good signings doesn't stop there. Samson Baidoo, 21-year-old central defender, is international for Austria and joined the club from Red Bull Salzburg. For Valentin, Baidoo is “already one of the best defenders in Ligue 1”. Still on the defensive axis, Mathieu Udol also deserves to be highlighted. The former Metz left-back adds “experience” to the squad, as Bommel says. “He’s so good that we’re talking about him for the French team,” he confessed. Moving on to the attack, Odsonne Édouard is the name to take into account. The French striker had an unsuccessful spell in England (Crystal Palace and Leicester City). «He arrived with the aim of relaunching his career, and it was already a success: 8 goals in 16 games. He's the club's top scorer, along with Wesley Saïd", said Valentin. In goal, Robin Risser, a 21-year-old goalkeeper trained in Strasbourg, grabbed the starting spot with both gloves. «I had never played at the highest level. Today, he is the goalkeeper of the best defense in Ligue 1, with the highest number of games without conceding a goal", said Valentin. There is one reinforcement that, for Bommel, has been predominant: Mamadou Sangaré, a 23-year-old midfielder formerly of Rapid Vienna. «Perhaps the most important reinforcement. It's one of the revelations in the middle of the field, because it's extraordinary», he reinforced. There is also a key figure: the man at the helm. Pierre Sage, 46-year-old technician. Last season he led Lyon, having been fired and replaced by Paulo Fonseca midway through the season. «The exit [do Lyon] was met with disappointment. Today, he is considered one of the best coaches in Ligue 1", said Valentin. Bommel recalled Pierre Sage's arrival at Lyon. In 2023/24 he joined the team in last place in the League and finished the season in sixth, guaranteeing qualification for the Europa League. When it comes to Lens, the French coach knew how to adapt easily. «Pierre Sage quickly integrated into the region. He visited important sites in the region and integrated himself. He understands how this club works, how the fans work. He has an intelligence and an adaptation that is very important», he said. After 18 rounds, Lens already has twice as many victories compared to last season - 14 against seven. At this time, in 2024/25, they were seventh with 27 points. PSG, who were champions very early last season, had 46 points after 18 rounds. Lens only has minus three (43). For Jan Bommel, Pierre's team should, at the very least, guarantee a place in the Champions League. “If they don't qualify for the Champions League, I think we will have to be disappointed. Obviously, being champions would be exceptional, especially against PSG, who are currently the best team in the world,” he said. Lens haven't been French champions since 1998. In fact, it was the only time that the team from the north of France won Ligue 1. “As for the title race, it's difficult to say. It's still very early, especially because there is no room for error with a PSG that is simply very strong", said Valentin. For this reason, the possibility of Lens being champion continues, for now, to be a scenario that is not very expected among French lands. «Nobody is talking clearly about Lens being champions here in the north of France. We will have to wait until April», concluded Bommel. PSG, remember, are four-time French champions. In the 2022/23 season, Lens finished second with 84 points - just one less than champions PSG. In this case, repeating this feat - and guaranteeing a direct place in the Champions League - would already make this season a memorable narrative in the history of football.