In the opening match of the French championship, Lens will host Lyon at home. The encounter promises to be intriguing, as both teams faced issues last season despite claiming ambitions to compete for top positions. Ultimately, over the summer, Lyon narrowly avoided forced relegation due to financial problems. Only radical changes in management and strict austerity allowed Lyon to remain in Ligue 1. However, one can hardly expect any aspirations for a Champions League spot, which is considered the norm for such a team. The current squad of Lyon seems too weakened. This does not negate their commitment to an attacking philosophy - it is in Lyon's blood, and the team prefers open, attack-oriented football regardless of their situation or lineup.

Lens has also undergone a certain transformation. They are no longer the team that confidently competed for Champions League spots a few years ago. The 'Blood and Gold' side can still cling to a place in European competitions, but they have sold off their best players, and the new resources have yet to impress. Perhaps Lens will manage to surprise and shine in the upcoming season, just as they did in the past when no one expected anything remarkable from them.

Interestingly, Lyon has not been able to beat the 'Blood and Golds' for four matches. Last season, one match ended in a goalless draw, while in another, Lens won 2-1. During pre-season preparations, Lens defeated Leipzig (2-1), lost to Roma (0-2), triumphed over Wolverhampton (3-1), and handled Metz (2-1). Lyon, on the other hand, thrashed Mallorca (4-0), lost to Bayern Munich (1-2) and overcame Getafe (2-1).