Not since the days of John Utaka: Lens qualify for Champions League group stage

Ligue 1 side Lens have reached a historic achievement in the 2022/23 season by qualifying for the UEFA Champions League group stages for only the third time in the team’s history following a second-place finish in the league. 

Lens have not played in the European elite since the 2002/23 season, when they finished above Bayern Munich in the group stages, although they were still unable to qualify for the second round. 

Les Sang et Or were impressive in that campaign despite finishing third, punching above their weight to earn decent results against European heavyweights Bayern Munich and AC Milan. 

Lens were unbeaten in both matches against Bayern Munich, with two draws, and claimed a famous victory against Milan thanks to a winning goal from Nigerian forward John Utaka. 

They will be hoping to better that performance next season after sealing qualification for the UCL group stages next season thanks to a 3-0 victory over Ajaccio in game week 37 of Ligue 1. 

Three first-half goals from Deiver Machado, Adrien Thomasson, and Lois Openda, who became the club’s joint-highest scorer in a Ligue 1 season, sealed the second spot for Lens as they could no longer be caught by Marseille in third. 

The tiny team from Pas-de-Calais were playing Ligue 2 football just two seasons ago, but are now set for a place in Europe’s biggest competition after a stunning season that saw them push eventual champions PSG all the way to the penultimate game of the season.