RC Lens Stripped of Premium Canal+ Slot for Final Three Champions League Matches

RC Lens host Como on Wednesday evening at Bollaert for matchday four of the Champions League league phase, but this fixture likely marks the last appearance of the Sang et Or on the premium channel this season.

Yannick Cahuzac’s side approach this encounter with a mixed record: a 2-3 victory in Prague, followed by two defeats against Sporting (0-2) and away to Bruges (3-0). Como’s visit therefore represents a turning point in their European campaign.

For the three remaining matchdays, the Artois club will be relegated to secondary billing in the schedule. On matchday six, Stuttgart-Lille will occupy the premium slot instead of Lens-Bodo/Glimt. On matchday seven, Lens-Manchester City is expected to be bumped behind Como-PSG in the priority order. Finally, for the multiplex on matchday eight, PSG against Galatasaray is announced as the headline fixture, while the enticing Liverpool-Lens would be broadcast on a less accessible channel for subscribers.

This situation illustrates the media hierarchy that has taken hold around the Champions League in France, where PSG systematically captures the most prominent time slots. Lens, despite prestigious matchups against Manchester City and Liverpool, remains sidelined in editorial decisions.

It should be noted, however, that the schedule may still evolve depending on sporting stakes as the matchdays unfold.