Analysis The numbers behind the result
Lens' superior chance volume overcomes Sturm's Slavia brace
Lens' 3-2 win was deserved on balance, with their 63% possession and 26 total shots (14 inside the box) translating into superior chance creation. Though Slavia Praha were clinical with Danijel Sturm's brace (51', 88'), their 18 shots (5 on target) and red card for Mikulas Konecny in the 49th minute left them overwhelmed defensively. Lens' 8 shots on target to Slavia's 5, plus 9 corners to 6, showed their sustained pressure.
The match swung on Lens' numerical advantage after Konecny's dismissal, with Abdallah Sima (73') and late goals from Florian Thauvin (90+1') and Ruben Aguilar (90+3') capitalising on stretched defences. Sturm's efficiency (2 goals from 3 shots on target) kept Slavia in contention, but Lens' 63% possession and 26 shots to Slavia's 18 ultimately told the story of territorial dominance. The decisive stat: Lens generated 9 blocked shots to Slavia's 7, demonstrating their ability to consistently penetrate the box despite stubborn resistance.