RC Lens boss Franck Haise turned showman after his second-placed side cut PSG's lead atop the Ligue 1 Uber Eats standings to just four points with a 3-1 upset in the north in R17, leading the Sang-et-Or faithful in the club's victory song: 'We whipped them!' In his 100th match in charge.
Sunday night saw Haise's RC Lens doing what they do best: playing without fear and without a backwards step irrespective of who they are up against. Despite conceding a leveller just minutes after opening the scoring, Lens made the most of the opportunities afforded them by their relentless pressure and ran out handy 3-1 winners over league leaders Paris Saint-Germain.
The Greatest Showman
The team - and the entire stadium - burst into celebrations when the final whistle blew, and Haise found the perfect way for all concerned to join together in their joy as he led the club's victory chant over the stadium's sound system.
'I'm not really much of a singer'
The chant translates roughly to: "Olala, olele, what happened? We whipped them!".
"I'm not really much of a singer, but the players asked me to do it and I'm happy to share it with the fans," said the beloved coach after showcasing his skills as an MC. "You have to enjoy these great moments. You sing a little bit, it creates memories, emotions and that's what will remain in the end. These are the emotions that people will remember for years to come."
>> MATCH REPORT: Brilliant Lens inflict first defeat of season on PSG
Not only was the win a rousing spectacle for the northerners - in Haise's 100th match in charge - it also announced that, rather than battling the drop in a cut-throat season that will see four sides relegated, they will more likely be pushing Paris Saint-Germain in the race for the title.
No limits
"We are happy to be four points behind PSG, but above all to have 40 points after 17 games. When you are ambitious in your play, you can make progress. This victory shows that we can beat anyone in this league, even PSG, and also do it in style, not as a fluke," explained Haise. "Now, there are 21 matches left. We have to maintain our appetite and our collective strength in every game, whatever the opponent. That way, we can attack this adventure without setting any limits."
Lens travel to face National 3 (D5) side Linas-Montlhéry in the Coupe de France round of 64 on Saturday (15:30 CET).
