# Lens Secure Clean Sheet Against Nice in Ligue 1 Round 22
In a high-stakes encounter that could determine the fate of several teams in Ligue 1, Lens secured a much-needed clean sheet victory over Nice in Round 22. The match was played on Sunday at the Stade de France in Paris and featured a close contest between two strong sides.
### Match Overview
- **Teams Involved:** Lens (4-5-1) vs. Nice (4-3-3)
- **Venue:** Stade de France, Paris
- **Date:** October 16, 2023
- **Result:** Lens 1-0 Nice
### Key Performances
#### Lens:
- **Goalkeeper:** Yannick Carrasco - Played solidly, making key saves to keep Nice off the scoresheet.
- **Defenders:** Mathieu Valbuena, Jérémy Meunier, David Maignan, and Benjamin Gourdon - Contributed defensively, with Valbuena leading the line.
- **Midfielders:** Antoine Griezmann, Romain Laporte, and N'Golo Kanté - Provided solidity in midfield, with Griezmann scoring the only goal.
- **Striker:** Kevin De Bruyne - Made an impact in attack, but his shot was blocked by Nice's goalkeeper.
#### Nice:
- **Goalkeeper:** Thibaut Courtois - Demonstrated excellent reflexes and composure, keeping Lens at bay.
- **Defenders:** Lucas Hernández, Victor Wilmott, and Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang - Showed resilience, particularly from the backline.
- **Midfielders:** Kylian Mbappé, Dries Mertens, and Adrien Rabiot - Provided pace and creativity in midfield, though they struggled to find space in front of goal.
- **Striker:** Antoine Griezmann - Led the attack, but his efforts were largely ineffective.
### Analysis
The victory for Lens was significant as it kept them in contention for a top-four spot in Ligue 1. Their clean sheet added to their defensive strength and confidence, while Antoine Griezmann's strike highlighted the team's attacking potential. The performance of Yannick Carrasco and David Maignan in particular stood out, as they provided a robust defense that allowed Lens to maintain control of the game.
On the other hand, Nice showed signs of struggle, particularly in the final third. While they had some promising moments, including an early breakaway opportunity courtesy of Kylian Mbappé, they failed to capitalize on them effectively. This could have been a turning point if they had managed to score earlier in the match.
### Conclusion
Lens's win against Nice was a crucial step forward in their campaign. They maintained their defensive integrity and showcased their offensive capabilities, which will be important as they continue to compete for the title. The performance of Antoine Griezmann also raised questions about the future of the club, as he has become a key player in the league. The next challenge for Lens will be to build on this momentum and face more difficult opponents in upcoming matches.