Lens Vs AS Monaco

As the 2024-25 Ligue 1 season reaches its dramatic conclusion, AS Monaco travel to the Stade Bollaert-Delelis for a decisive final-day clash against RC Lens. The stakes are particularly high for Adi Hütter’s side, who remain in contention to secure second place—a finish that would cement their status as the best of the rest behind the dominant Paris Saint-Germain. With just one point separating them from Olympique de Marseille, Monaco must deliver a strong performance to leapfrog their rivals, while Lens, already assured of a mid-table finish, have little more than pride to play for.

For Lens, this season has been a far cry from the heights they reached under former manager Franck Haise, who masterminded their remarkable rise from Ligue 2 promotion candidates to European contenders. Now at the helm of OGC Nice, Haise could guide his new club into the Champions League, while his former team languishes outside the European places. Will Still, the current Lens manager, has endured a turbulent campaign characterized by erratic form. His side has oscillated between impressive victories and disappointing defeats, making consistency their biggest adversary.

Heading into the final matchday, Lens sit in ninth place, with their only remaining hope for European football hinging on a series of improbable events. To secure a Europa Conference League spot, they must better Brest’s result, hope PSG defeats Reims in the Coupe de France final, and rely on UEFA imposing a ban on Lyon due to financial irregularities. Given the unlikelihood of these scenarios unfolding in their favor, Lens’ primary objective will be ending the season on a positive note.

Their recent home form, however, offers little cause for optimism. After suffering back-to-back defeats at the Stade Bollaert-Delelis—a 2-0 loss to Reims followed by a humbling 4-0 thrashing by Auxerre—Lens will be desperate to avoid a third consecutive home setback. Their record in front of their own supporters this season has been underwhelming, with half of their league matches ending in defeat. A strong performance against Monaco would at least provide some consolation for their fans after a campaign that has fallen short of expectations.

Monaco, meanwhile, have already guaranteed a top-three finish, ensuring their participation in next season’s revamped Champions League format. However, the battle for second place remains alive, and Adi Hütter’s men will be determined to overtake Marseille in the standings. A five-match unbeaten run has solidified their position ahead of Nice, Lille, and Strasbourg, all of whom trail by four points. With Marseille just one point ahead, Monaco know that a victory over Lens—combined with a slip-up from their rivals—could see them clinch the runners-up spot.

Their recent 2-0 victory over Lyon showcased their resilience and attacking potency. Goals from Takumi Minamino and Denis Zakaria within a six-minute span sealed a comfortable win, extending their unbeaten streak at a crucial stage of the season. Should they finish second, it would mark only the fifth time in the club’s history that they have secured back-to-back top-two finishes—a testament to the progress made under Hütter’s leadership.

Despite their strong overall campaign, Monaco’s away form has been a persistent concern. They have managed just two wins in their last eleven league matches on the road, though one of those victories came in their most recent trip to Saint-Étienne. Encouragingly, they have scored in each of their last nine away fixtures, demonstrating their ability to trouble opponents even in hostile environments. Their previous encounter with Lens this season ended in a 1-1 draw, extending their unbeaten run against Les Sang et Or to four matches. Their last defeat in this fixture came over two years ago—a 3-0 loss at the Stade Bollaert-Delelis—and they will be keen to avoid a repeat of that result.

For Lens, this match represents an opportunity to salvage some pride after a season of frustration. While European qualification is almost certainly beyond them, a strong performance against a top-three side would provide a measure of redemption. Players like Yann Gboho and Neil El Aynaoui, who were on the scoresheet in their recent 1-1 draw with Toulouse, will be key if they are to trouble Monaco’s defense.

For Monaco, the equation is simple: win and hope Marseille drop points. With the quality in their squad—including the likes of Minamino, Zakaria, and Aleksandr Golovin—they have the firepower to breach Lens’ shaky backline. Hütter will demand focus and intensity from his players, knowing that second place would represent a significant achievement in a fiercely competitive league.

As the final whistle blows on the Ligue 1 season, both teams will reflect on campaigns that have brought contrasting emotions. For Lens, it has been a year of transition and inconsistency, while Monaco have reaffirmed their status among France’s elite. Whether they can cap it off with a second-place finish remains to be seen, but one thing is certain—this final-day encounter promises intrigue, drama, and a fitting conclusion to another thrilling Ligue 1 season.