Florian Sotoca insists Lens 'still in' Ligue 1 title hunt despite mounting PSG pressure

Lens looked in control last weekend when they led Monaco 2-0 at home. But three goals conceded in just 10 minutes turned the match on its head and sealed a damaging 3-2 defeat. The result allowed defending champions PSG to move two points clear at the top after 23 matches.

Sotoca was honest about the setback but urged calm.

"We want to show that it was a blip," the Lens captain said. "We're an ambitious team dreaming of going as far as possible."

The manner of the loss raised doubts about Lens' staying power in a tight title fight, but there is little time to dwell on it. They travel to seventh-placed Strasbourg on Friday night, knowing dropped points could prove costly. Strasbourg are still pushing for a Champions League place but have struggled for consistency under coach Gary O'Neil.

PSG, meanwhile, head to 13th-placed Le Havre on Saturday. Le Havre coach Didier Digard, who spent a season at PSG as a player, admitted the scale of the challenge.

"We have to be realistic. I'd love to make you dream and tell you we're going to win," Digard said. "But in reality, Paris, even with injuries, is in a completely different world."

Third-placed Lyon, whose 13-match winning run recently ended, face fourth-placed Marseille on Sunday in a crucial clash. A Marseille victory would cut the gap to Lyon to two points and tighten the race for Champions League qualification.

In the scoring charts, Rennes striker Esteban Lepaul has 12 league goals and is chasing Strasbourg's Joaquin Panichelli and Marseille's Mason Greenwood. Lepaul has not scored from the penalty spot this season, unlike his rivals, underlining his impact from open play.

Back at Lens, goalkeeper Robin Risser will be under scrutiny after his handling error led to Monaco's equaliser. Lens must respond quickly, with a French Cup quarter-final against Lyon also on the horizon.

At the bottom, Metz sit rock bottom and face another relegation battle. Supporters' groups Horda Frenetik and Gruppa Metz have called for a protest march before Sunday's home game against Brest, criticising the club's long-term direction.

The title race remains finely balanced, but Sotoca's message was clear: Lens are still in the fight.