Lens vs Como: A Tactical Examination Between French Urgency and Italian Ambition

UEFA Champions League · League Phase · Matchday 4 · 4 November 2026

Fixture: RC Lens vs Como 1907
Date: Wednesday, 4 November 2026
Kick-off: 21:00 CET
Venue: Stade Bollaert-Delelis, Lens, France
Competition: UEFA Champions League
Referee: Rohit Saggi
Previous meetings: No previous competitive meetings.

The Battle Between Possession and Aggressive Transitions

Can Lens disrupt a Como side that has become increasingly comfortable dictating the rhythm of European matches? That question sits at the heart of Wednesday’s meeting at Stade Bollaert-Delelis. The French club have collected three points from their opening three league-phase fixtures, beginning with a 3-2 victory against Slavia Prague before suffering defeats against Sporting CP and Club Brugge. Como have accumulated six points and arrive with considerably more confidence after impressive victories against RB Leipzig and Manchester United, although their European campaign also includes a defeat away to Feyenoord. The difference in points gives the Italian visitors a stronger starting position, but Lens have an opportunity to draw level with them in the standings. With both sides pursuing qualification, the tactical decisions made during the opening stages could have considerable consequences.

Yannick Cahuzac faces the challenge of finding a way through a Como midfield that combines technical quality with intelligent movement. Cesc Fàbregas has developed a possession-oriented approach in which Nico Paz plays an important role between the lines, connecting midfield circulation with attacking movements. Máximo Perrone and Luis Milla provide options for building attacks from deeper positions, while Martin Baturina and Lucas Da Cunha offer creativity closer to the opposition penalty area. Lens can respond through Florian Thauvin’s experience, Thorgan Hazard’s movement and the attacking contribution of their wing-backs. Their projected 3-4-2-1 system provides opportunities to create numerical advantages in wide areas, particularly when Saud Abdulhamid and Matthieu Udol advance together with the midfield. The challenge will be maintaining enough defensive protection to prevent Como from exploiting the spaces left behind.

Another important element is the difference in how the two teams approach attacking opportunities. Como have demonstrated an ability to create dangerous situations through patient possession, quick combinations and movement from their attacking midfielders, with Anastasios Douvikas providing a central target. Lens, meanwhile, can use the atmosphere at Bollaert-Delelis to increase their intensity and force the visitors into uncomfortable defensive situations. Franjo Ivanović is expected to lead the French side’s attack, particularly with Odsonne Édouard unavailable following surgery for an adductor problem. The home side will need contributions from more than one attacking player if they are to challenge Como’s defensive organisation. For the visitors, keeping Nico Paz involved and finding Douvikas early could be central to maintaining their attacking threat.

The pre-match discussion has also focused on the respect Lens have shown towards their opponents. In the official press conference, Cahuzac described Como as a strong team with a clear playing identity, praising their possession, midfield mobility and intelligent use of space. Ruben Aguilar also highlighted the quality of Fàbregas and the organisation behind Como’s football, while explaining his own comfort with the responsibilities of playing in a back three. The Lens coach stressed that he expects the home supporters to play an important role, but also recognised that the players must give the crowd reasons to get behind them. Those comments suggest that Lens understand the technical challenge awaiting them rather than viewing the match simply as an opportunity to attack. For Como, the objective will be to impose their usual football without allowing the atmosphere to turn the contest into an uncontrolled exchange of attacks.

🚑 Medical Room: Squad Absences and Fitness Concerns

Lens confirmed several unavailable players through their official pre-match press conference. Odsonne Édouard underwent surgery for chronic adductor problems, while Maik Nawrocki, Ismaëlo Ganiou and Abdallah Sima were still following their rehabilitation programmes. The coach indicated that the remainder of his squad was available. Como’s reported absences are based on pre-match team-news coverage; the club’s individual medical confirmations could not be independently verified.

RC Lens – Injury Report

Como 1907 – Injury Report

Medical information: Lens absences were confirmed in the club’s 3 November press conference. Como availability is reported by pre-match media coverage and is not presented as an independently verified official club medical bulletin. No long-term injury category has been assigned without sufficient confirmation.

📋 Predicted Matchday Elevens and Tactical Roles

Important: These are predicted starting lineups published in pre-match coverage, not confirmed official team sheets.

RC Lens – Expected Formation: 3-4-2-1

Como 1907 – Expected Formation: 4-2-3-1

Six Names That Could Influence the Match

• Florian Thauvin – Lens: His creativity, experience and ability to deliver dangerous passes make him one of Lens’ most important attacking players.
• Franjo Ivanović – Lens: Expected to lead the attack in Édouard’s absence, giving him an important opportunity to influence the European contest.
• Ruben Aguilar – Lens: His experience in a three-man defensive structure could help the hosts manage Como’s attacking movement.
• Nico Paz – Como: A major creative influence who can operate between the lines and provide the final pass in attacking situations.
• Martin Baturina – Como: His technical quality and movement can create problems for defenders when Como advance through the middle.
• Anastasios Douvikas – Como: His positioning inside the penalty area makes him a significant goal threat and an important reference point for the visitors.

Important Details Before the Opening Whistle

• Lens have collected three points from their first three Champions League fixtures.
• Como have collected six points and are positioned above Lens in the league-phase standings.
• Lens have attempted 40 shots across their previous two Champions League matchdays, according to the club’s official preview.
• Como have recorded impressive 4-1 Champions League victories against RB Leipzig and Manchester United.
• Lens will be without several important squad members, including Odsonne Édouard, Maik Nawrocki, Ismaëlo Ganiou and Abdallah Sima.
• Cesc Fàbregas and Yannick Cahuzac face an important tactical contest between possession-oriented football and aggressive attacking transitions.

A European Test with Different Objectives

Lens have the advantage of playing at home, but the pressure to improve their European position means that patience will be just as important as attacking intensity. Como have already demonstrated that they can compete with established European sides, and their technical approach gives them the tools to make this an uncomfortable evening for the hosts. The French side will look to use the energy of Bollaert-Delelis and the creativity of Thauvin to create opportunities, while the visitors will seek to control possession and exploit gaps through Nico Paz and Douvikas. The availability of key players could influence the managers’ tactical decisions, particularly in the attacking areas. Neither team can afford to underestimate the importance of this fourth league-phase fixture. The central question is whether Lens can turn their home advantage into a more effective European performance against one of the competition’s emerging sides.

Editorial note: Starting lineups are predictions and not confirmed official team sheets. Lens injury information includes statements from the club’s official press conference. Como injury information is based on available pre-match reporting and should be checked against the club’s final announcements. No match result or post-kick-off events are included.