How Lens embraced underdog status to become PSG's title rivals

How Lens embraced underdog status to become PSG's title rivalsImage source, Getty ImagesImage caption, Odsonne Edouard is Lens' top scorer with 13 goals in all competitions this seasonByRaphael JucobinBBC Sport in LensPublished4 hours ago44 CommentsLens were supposed to be gearing up for a potential Ligue 1 title-decider.Yet with Paris St-Germain exempted from domestic action because of their Champions League commitments, the Sang et Or (Blood and Gold) will instead be hosting third-tier side Rouen for a friendly match on Saturday afternoon.While the league authorities have made accommodations for other European campaigns in the past, PSG's request did prompt vocal opposition from Lens.In a statement published before the Ligue de Football Professionnel [LFP] convened, Lens had notably warned that the French top flight could become "a variable to be adjusted at the whim of the European imperatives of certain clubs"."Our intention wasn't to pick a fight with PSG," Benjamin Parrot, the club's general director, tells BBC Sport."We wanted the schedule to be maintained as it was set out for teams like us, who have a budget and have built a squad around playing in the league and the Coupe de France."The league council's decision, he points out, means Coupe de France semi-finalists Lens will end their league campaign with three games in the space of a week."It went to a vote and the decision was unanimous, which means that our arguments either didn't get through or weren't considered. Given that outcome, we'll save our energy and focus on the rest of the season," Parrot says.Within four days, Lens managed to set up a replacement match."We would have played just once over a month. In terms of the team's performance and fitness, organising a fixture became a necessity," the club executive highlights.Proceeds from the match will go to Reporters Without Borders as the club lends...