RC Lens Champions League defeat, Digi Mart USA News: Nine goals conceded at home. Before Wednesday, November 4, no French club had ever conceded that many goals before its own supporters in European competition.
Lens has now added France to a list that had previously included only small European football nations.
According to OptaJean, only clubs from Andorra, Cyprus, Finland, Iceland, Luxembourg, Malta and San Marino had previously suffered similar home defeats in European competition, including qualifying rounds. Those clubs were often playing qualifiers against opponents of a very different level.
Lens, however, is the reigning French runner-up and is competing in the league phase of the most prestigious club competition in Europe. The club is also the first of the five major European leagues to concede nine goals at home in European competition.
The 1-9 scoreline is the heaviest defeat ever suffered by a French club in the Champions League.
After four matches, Lens has three points and sits 33rd in the standings. The club will have an opportunity to respond quickly, hosting Olympique de Marseille in Ligue 1 on Sunday, November 8.
