Lens line-up vs Slavia Prague: 100% Gaillette back three, Todibo benched

RC Lens kicks off its Champions League campaign away at Slavia Prague with a clear statement of intent. As L'Équipe reports, coach Dino Toppmöller has opted to start with a three-man defense made up of youngsters developed at the Gaillette academy.

Gaillette back three

The center of the defense will be Souleymane Sagnan (21), alongside Kyllian Antonio and Ismaëlo Ganiou. Meanwhile, Jean-Clair Todibo is named as a substitute, with the outlet citing that he is short on match rhythm.

Midfield and attack

Franjo Ivanovic supports the attack with Florian Thauvin and Abdallah Sima. In midfield, Andrija Bulatovic is preferred over Michael Cuisance to pair up with Amadou Haidara.

Lens go into the match needing a response after a tough league spell, having lost their last two Ligue 1 games: Strasbourg (1-2) and Lorient (0-1). With that in mind, the tie this Thursday (21:00 local time, as mentioned in the article) is a key moment to regain momentum in Europe.

According to L'Équipe, the XI is designed to bring defensive balance and a spark to a team that must steady itself quickly on the continent.