Match story
- Lens fired more attempts (18 vs 4 shots).
- Gazelec FC Ajaccio was more accurate in front of goal (50% on target vs 28%).
- Lens held more of the ball (72% possession).
Gazelec FC Ajaccio and Lens drew 1-1 in Ligue 2. The fixture is part of the Regular Season - 28 stage in the 2017 season. The match was played at Stade Ange-Casanova in Ajaccio. Faouzi Benchabane officiated the match. The full-time result capped a Gazelec FC Ajaccio vs Lens meeting in Ligue 2 with detailed post-match statistics available on Sportra. This match centre covers lineups, live events, player ratings, team statistics, xG, head-to-head history, and related news for Gazelec FC Ajaccio and Lens. On Sportra you can view xG, lineups, match statistics, events, player ratings, predictions, head-to-head history, and related news for this fixture.
Recorded meetings: 3 (available previous meetings, not necessarily all-time).
Gazelec FC Ajaccio and Lens drew 1-1 in Ligue 2. The fixture is part of the Regular Season - 28 stage in the 2017 season. The match was played at Stade Ange-Casanova in Ajaccio. Faouzi Benchabane officiated the match. The full-time result capped a Gazelec FC Ajaccio vs Lens meeting in Ligue 2 with detailed post-match statistics available on Sportra. This match centre covers lineups, live events, player ratings, team statistics, xG, head-to-head history, and related news for Gazelec FC Ajaccio and Lens. On Sportra you can view xG, lineups, match statistics, events, player ratings, predictions, head-to-head history, and related news for this fixture.
Recorded meetings: 3 (available previous meetings, not necessarily all-time).

An Everton side who competed for the European places for much of last season begin this campaign against a Crystal Palace team playing their first Premier League game under manager Pierre Sage. BBC Sport examines some of the key themes going into their meeting at Hill Dickinson Stadium on Saturday. Everton begin the new season with perhaps two main ambitions: a challenge for the European places that lasts until the end of the campaign and better form at home.
Two upcoming opponents have received important news that could strengthen their squads at exactly the wrong time for the Riyadh giants, adding another layer of intrigue to the early weeks of the title race. Al-Nassr has made a strong start to the new Saudi Pro League campaign, but the road ahead for Cristiano Ronaldo has suddenly become more complicated. Two upcoming opponents have received important news that could strengthen their squads at exactly the wrong time for the Riyadh giants, adding another layer of intrigue to the early weeks of the title race. The developments come as the Saudi Pro League continues to tighten its financial controls while clubs attempt to complete their summer recruitment. For Ronaldo and Al-Nassr, the timing is particularly significant with Al-Riyadh waiting on Friday and Al-Ettifaq scheduled to face the defending champions next week. The first major development concerns Al-Riyadh, which has received approval to register Ivorian midfielder Kader Keita. The defensive midfielder is set to take the place of Senegalese striker Mamadou Sylla in the club’s registered squad after the necessary financial approval was granted. According to Al-Riyadh newspaper, the league has given the green light for Keita’s registration, allowing the midfielder to become available for selection. Keita, who was born in November 2000 and has a French-Ivorian background, arrives after a spell with Romanian club Rapid București. His arrival gives Al-Riyadh another physical and defensive option in midfield ahead of its meeting with Al-Nassr. 🚨🚨🚨🚨🚨🚨🚨🚨🚨🚨🚨🚨🚨عاااااااااااااااااااااااااااجل — الرياضية:تلقت إدارة نادي #الرياض موافقة الرابطة على تسجيل لاعب الوسط "قادر كيتا" بدلًا من المهاجم السنغالي "مامادو سيلا"!!✅🔴⚫️ pic.twitter.com/FlRpuFBNew— الرياض نيوز | Riyadh NEWS (@RFC_NEWS1) August 21, 2026 The timing could hardly be more interesting. Al-Riyadh suffered a 4-2 defeat to Al-Ettifaq in its opening league match, but it responded by beating Al-Zulfi 2-0 in the King’s Cup, meaning the club will enter Friday’s clash with renewed confidence. Al-Ettifaq also gets green light for Larsson The second boost involves Al-Ettifaq and Swedish forward Jordan Larsson, whose move to the club had been held up by financial restrictions. The club has now received approval from the Financial Control Committee to proceed with the signing from Copenhagen. Larsson had reportedly agreed to join Al-Ettifaq in a deal worth around $1.5 million, with the proposed contract running until June 2029. The 28-year-old had already completed his medical and arrived in Saudi Arabia earlier this month, leaving the registration process as the major obstacle. The approval means Al-Ettifaq can now move closer to having another attacking option available. That could prove especially important ahead of its meeting with Al-Nassr on August 25, just four days after Ronaldo’s side faces Al-Riyadh. Why the registrations were delayed The two developments are linked to the Saudi Pro League’s increasingly strict financial regulations. The Financial Control Committee has introduced spending controls that limit first-team expenditure to 75% of a club’s revenue, with the remaining funds directed toward areas such as youth development and infrastructure. Those restrictions have already created complications for several clubs attempting to complete their transfer business. Al-Ettifaq’s inability to finalize Larsson’s registration is one example, while Al-Riyadh also needed approval before officially adding Keïta to its squad. Ronaldo’s Al-Nassr faces tougher challenges For Al-Nassr, the news represents a double headache at the beginning of a campaign in which the club is expected to challenge for every major domestic trophy. Ange Postecoglou’s side began the league season impressively with a 3-0 victory over Al-Fateh and subsequently defeated Al-Diriyah 4-1 in the King’s Cup. Cristiano Ronaldo of team Al-Nassr FC competes for the ball with Ahmed Al-Julaydan of team Al-Ittihad FC Ron
Chelsea defender Axel Disasi has been given permission to visit Crystal Palace for a medical as talks progress over a season-long loan move. For Palace, Disasi would become the club's seventh signing of the summer under new manager Pierre Sage as he reshapes the squad. Sage begins his reign with a trip to Everton's Hill Dickinson Stadium on Saturday.
Chelsea has managed to offload one unwanted player – but not for the fee they hoped for (Photo: Getty) Chelsea have reportedly agreed a deal to loan out Axel Disasi to Crystal Palace, after once again failing to sell the defender permanently. Much was expected of Disasi when he moved from Monaco to Stamford Bridge in 2023 in a transfer worth over £38million. He was a key player under Mauricio Pochettino but upon Enzo Maresca’s arrival he was dumped into the ‘bomb squad’ and has not played for Chelsea in over 18 months. During that time he has made temporary switches to Aston Villa and West Ham, and is now set for a third loan spell, with Fabrizio Romano reporting that Chelsea and Palace have reached a verbal agreement after weeks of speculation. Exclusive Premier League previews Get ahead of the start of the season with our weekly football newsletter. Sign up now for free. It is said the France international will undergo his medical on Friday, the day before Palace kick-off their season with a trip to Everton. Moreover, the Eagles will cover the 28-year-old’s salary and pay a small-ish loan fee to the Blues, rumoured to be around £5m, though there will be no obligation or option to buy clause. While Chelsea have managed to offload a player not wanted by Xabi Alonso, the deal is a far cry from what the club were hoping for, with rumours earlier this summer suggesting they wished to sell Disasi for £25m. Axel Disasi spent the second-half of last season on loan at West Ham (Photo: Getty) Negotiations for Disasi began almost immediately after Chelsea secured the signing of Palace centre-back Maxence Lacroix for £52m. New Eagles manager Pierre Sage admitted on Thursday that the club were working to recruit a suitable replacement but, understandably, would not address the Disasi rumours directly. ‘Yes, we need a player in this department,’ the Frenchmen said in his pre-Everton press conference. Disasi last played for Chelsea in January 2025 (Photo: Getty) ‘We need a player with a lot of games, if possible in Premier League because we need players but we need a leader. That’s why we need to wait a little bit to find a good one. ‘He [Disasi] is a player from Chelsea, it’s difficult for me to speak about a player of another club, but I hear the same noise as you. ‘Maybe one or two [more signings] and we have time. We don’t want to [just] take a player, we want to take a good player for us. That’s why it’s not just one or two guys, because we have to work with these guys during the season, sometimes it’s better to wait.’ Chelsea have signed Maxence Lacroix from Crystal Palace (Photo: Getty) Lacroix is the only major sale Palace have made this summer and Sage has boldly stated that no other key player will depart Selhurst Park before deadline day. That includes England midfielder Adam Wharton, who is valued at £100m and has been the subject of an enquiry by Manchester City: ‘Now it’s not the moment to do that [sell him]. ‘He is able to play at a big club here or everywhere in Europe but one year with us, one year with a new dynamic will be good for him. We need him, that’s why I think he will stay with us.’ For more stories like this, check our sport page. Follow Metro Sport for the latest news on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram. Comment now Comments Add Metro as a Preferred Source on Google Add as preferred source
Success for most French clubs is staying afloat financially and developing players for buyers in the Premier LeagueBy Get French Football NewsOn the eve of a new Ligue 1 season, many clubs seem a little distracted. Even those accustomed to competing at the top have concerns that transcend the pitch. In a league that contains the greatest team on the continent, the focus of the majority of clubs has shifted to surviving and providing, rather than competing.Any fighting spirit has long since been kicked out of Paris Saint-Germain’s competitors; back-to-back Champions League titles will do that. It feels like a long time ago since Kylian Mbappé moved to Real Madrid on a free transfer, leaving behind a scent of opportunity that filled the nostrils of Marseille, Monaco and Lille. Roberto De Zerbi was bullish when he joined Marseille. “I’m not here to finish second,” said the manager, who has since moved to Tottenham. Finishing second has now become an aspiration, especially for a club such as Marseille, given their predicament. Continue reading...
A crackdown on time wasting, a record number of new people in charge, and some new faces on Match of the DayThe 2026-27 Premier League season kicks off on Friday and while the familiar rivalries return, the English top flight has some alterations this campaign. From evolved rules to new faces and broadcast changes, there is plenty to catch up on before a ball is kicked.Marco Rose – BournemouthXabi Alonso – ChelseaPierre Sage – Crystal PalaceÁlvaro Arbeloa – FulhamGary O’Neil - Ipswich TownAndoni Iraola – LiverpoolEnzo Maresca- Manchester CityMatthias Jaissle – NewcastleOliver Glasner – Nottingham Forest Continue reading...
Cristiano Ronaldo could make his season debut for Al Nassr in the match against Al Riyadh for the Saudi Pro League. Whether Cristiano Ronaldo actually takes the field on Friday for his Al Nassr’s season debut remains uncertain, but he’s at least back in the conversation. The 41-year-old has yet to make an appearance this season after missing his team opening two matches following his preseason absence. He returned to individual training earlier this week, and while there’s no guarantee he starts, Ronaldo has been included in Ange Postecoglou’s 21-man squad list for the trip to face Al Riyadh, opening the door for him to feature in some capacity even if it’s not from the opening whistle. Ahead of the match, Al Riyadh coach Mauricio Dulac had nothing but praise for the possibility of facing him. “When we talk about Ronaldo, we are talking about a legend, someone who has made history in football and in the world of football. If Cristiano plays against us, it will be a pleasure for everyone,” Dulac said during a press conference. Al Nassr head into the match on a two-match winning run, having opened the Saudi Pro League with a 3-0 win over Al Fateh and cruising 4-1 past Al Diriyah in the King’s Cup. For Al Riyadh, who dropped their season opener 4-2 to Al Ettifaq, the match carries extra weight as they’ll need to win to get their campaign back on track. That’s a wrap on preparations 🎬💛Matchday next ⏭️ pic.twitter.com/2Vidi3Bu7s— AlNassr FC (@AlNassrFC_EN) August 20, 2026 Dulac struck an optimistic tone about the challenge ahead. “They are a very good team with an extremely strong squad and many stars. But I think that is also very good for us, because when we play against good players and very strong teams, we raise our own level as well,” the Brazilian coach added. Postecoglou won’t have his full squad available While Ronaldo’s potential return would give Postecoglou a major boost, it comes as Al Nassr also deals with six absences for the Al Riyadh match. The missing players are Saad Al Nasser, Samu Costa, Mohamed Simakan, Mohamed Maran, Raghed Al Najjar, and Abdulrahman Ghareeb. Per Arriyadiyah, the absences of Costa and Simakan in particular are tied to squad management rather than injury, with Postecoglou opting to rest the Portugal midfielder and France defender due to fatigue after a congested start to the season.
Palace's press suite has benefitted from a summer refurbishment. Not only have the plastic chairs been replaced by rows of leather seating, there is also a new man in the hotseat.
Crystal Palace boss Pierre Sage has been speaking to the media before Saturday's Premier League opener against Everton at Hill Dickinson Stadium (kick-off 15:00 BST). Sage said he was "very happy to begin" as the club can connect with fans again but stressed the Eagles need to "bring the best version" of themselves to "compete" against Everton. A "late decision" will be made on captain Dean Henderson's fitness.
Elias: I am happy that we are spending money on players this summer and preparing for the Europa League, but I don't see why we would get another attacker. Zavier Gozo looks a little overwhelmed with signing for Palace, but a move like this will take time for him to settle. Pierre Sage's got a hard act to follow.
Tap a headline to view metadata and excerpt fields in Sportra, then use the article website button to continue on the original publisher page.

An Everton side who competed for the European places for much of last season begin this campaign against a Crystal Palace team playing their first Premier League game under manager Pierre Sage. BBC Sport examines some of the key themes going into their meeting at Hill Dickinson Stadium on Saturday. Everton begin the new season with perhaps two main ambitions: a challenge for the European places that lasts until the end of the campaign and better form at home.
Two upcoming opponents have received important news that could strengthen their squads at exactly the wrong time for the Riyadh giants, adding another layer of intrigue to the early weeks of the title race. Al-Nassr has made a strong start to the new Saudi Pro League campaign, but the road ahead for Cristiano Ronaldo has suddenly become more complicated. Two upcoming opponents have received important news that could strengthen their squads at exactly the wrong time for the Riyadh giants, adding another layer of intrigue to the early weeks of the title race. The developments come as the Saudi Pro League continues to tighten its financial controls while clubs attempt to complete their summer recruitment. For Ronaldo and Al-Nassr, the timing is particularly significant with Al-Riyadh waiting on Friday and Al-Ettifaq scheduled to face the defending champions next week. The first major development concerns Al-Riyadh, which has received approval to register Ivorian midfielder Kader Keita. The defensive midfielder is set to take the place of Senegalese striker Mamadou Sylla in the club’s registered squad after the necessary financial approval was granted. According to Al-Riyadh newspaper, the league has given the green light for Keita’s registration, allowing the midfielder to become available for selection. Keita, who was born in November 2000 and has a French-Ivorian background, arrives after a spell with Romanian club Rapid București. His arrival gives Al-Riyadh another physical and defensive option in midfield ahead of its meeting with Al-Nassr. 🚨🚨🚨🚨🚨🚨🚨🚨🚨🚨🚨🚨🚨عاااااااااااااااااااااااااااجل — الرياضية:تلقت إدارة نادي #الرياض موافقة الرابطة على تسجيل لاعب الوسط "قادر كيتا" بدلًا من المهاجم السنغالي "مامادو سيلا"!!✅🔴⚫️ pic.twitter.com/FlRpuFBNew— الرياض نيوز | Riyadh NEWS (@RFC_NEWS1) August 21, 2026 The timing could hardly be more interesting. Al-Riyadh suffered a 4-2 defeat to Al-Ettifaq in its opening league match, but it responded by beating Al-Zulfi 2-0 in the King’s Cup, meaning the club will enter Friday’s clash with renewed confidence. Al-Ettifaq also gets green light for Larsson The second boost involves Al-Ettifaq and Swedish forward Jordan Larsson, whose move to the club had been held up by financial restrictions. The club has now received approval from the Financial Control Committee to proceed with the signing from Copenhagen. Larsson had reportedly agreed to join Al-Ettifaq in a deal worth around $1.5 million, with the proposed contract running until June 2029. The 28-year-old had already completed his medical and arrived in Saudi Arabia earlier this month, leaving the registration process as the major obstacle. The approval means Al-Ettifaq can now move closer to having another attacking option available. That could prove especially important ahead of its meeting with Al-Nassr on August 25, just four days after Ronaldo’s side faces Al-Riyadh. Why the registrations were delayed The two developments are linked to the Saudi Pro League’s increasingly strict financial regulations. The Financial Control Committee has introduced spending controls that limit first-team expenditure to 75% of a club’s revenue, with the remaining funds directed toward areas such as youth development and infrastructure. Those restrictions have already created complications for several clubs attempting to complete their transfer business. Al-Ettifaq’s inability to finalize Larsson’s registration is one example, while Al-Riyadh also needed approval before officially adding Keïta to its squad. Ronaldo’s Al-Nassr faces tougher challenges For Al-Nassr, the news represents a double headache at the beginning of a campaign in which the club is expected to challenge for every major domestic trophy. Ange Postecoglou’s side began the league season impressively with a 3-0 victory over Al-Fateh and subsequently defeated Al-Diriyah 4-1 in the King’s Cup. Cristiano Ronaldo of team Al-Nassr FC competes for the ball with Ahmed Al-Julaydan of team Al-Ittihad FC Ron
Chelsea defender Axel Disasi has been given permission to visit Crystal Palace for a medical as talks progress over a season-long loan move. For Palace, Disasi would become the club's seventh signing of the summer under new manager Pierre Sage as he reshapes the squad. Sage begins his reign with a trip to Everton's Hill Dickinson Stadium on Saturday.
Chelsea has managed to offload one unwanted player – but not for the fee they hoped for (Photo: Getty) Chelsea have reportedly agreed a deal to loan out Axel Disasi to Crystal Palace, after once again failing to sell the defender permanently. Much was expected of Disasi when he moved from Monaco to Stamford Bridge in 2023 in a transfer worth over £38million. He was a key player under Mauricio Pochettino but upon Enzo Maresca’s arrival he was dumped into the ‘bomb squad’ and has not played for Chelsea in over 18 months. During that time he has made temporary switches to Aston Villa and West Ham, and is now set for a third loan spell, with Fabrizio Romano reporting that Chelsea and Palace have reached a verbal agreement after weeks of speculation. Exclusive Premier League previews Get ahead of the start of the season with our weekly football newsletter. Sign up now for free. It is said the France international will undergo his medical on Friday, the day before Palace kick-off their season with a trip to Everton. Moreover, the Eagles will cover the 28-year-old’s salary and pay a small-ish loan fee to the Blues, rumoured to be around £5m, though there will be no obligation or option to buy clause. While Chelsea have managed to offload a player not wanted by Xabi Alonso, the deal is a far cry from what the club were hoping for, with rumours earlier this summer suggesting they wished to sell Disasi for £25m. Axel Disasi spent the second-half of last season on loan at West Ham (Photo: Getty) Negotiations for Disasi began almost immediately after Chelsea secured the signing of Palace centre-back Maxence Lacroix for £52m. New Eagles manager Pierre Sage admitted on Thursday that the club were working to recruit a suitable replacement but, understandably, would not address the Disasi rumours directly. ‘Yes, we need a player in this department,’ the Frenchmen said in his pre-Everton press conference. Disasi last played for Chelsea in January 2025 (Photo: Getty) ‘We need a player with a lot of games, if possible in Premier League because we need players but we need a leader. That’s why we need to wait a little bit to find a good one. ‘He [Disasi] is a player from Chelsea, it’s difficult for me to speak about a player of another club, but I hear the same noise as you. ‘Maybe one or two [more signings] and we have time. We don’t want to [just] take a player, we want to take a good player for us. That’s why it’s not just one or two guys, because we have to work with these guys during the season, sometimes it’s better to wait.’ Chelsea have signed Maxence Lacroix from Crystal Palace (Photo: Getty) Lacroix is the only major sale Palace have made this summer and Sage has boldly stated that no other key player will depart Selhurst Park before deadline day. That includes England midfielder Adam Wharton, who is valued at £100m and has been the subject of an enquiry by Manchester City: ‘Now it’s not the moment to do that [sell him]. ‘He is able to play at a big club here or everywhere in Europe but one year with us, one year with a new dynamic will be good for him. We need him, that’s why I think he will stay with us.’ For more stories like this, check our sport page. Follow Metro Sport for the latest news on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram. Comment now Comments Add Metro as a Preferred Source on Google Add as preferred source
Success for most French clubs is staying afloat financially and developing players for buyers in the Premier LeagueBy Get French Football NewsOn the eve of a new Ligue 1 season, many clubs seem a little distracted. Even those accustomed to competing at the top have concerns that transcend the pitch. In a league that contains the greatest team on the continent, the focus of the majority of clubs has shifted to surviving and providing, rather than competing.Any fighting spirit has long since been kicked out of Paris Saint-Germain’s competitors; back-to-back Champions League titles will do that. It feels like a long time ago since Kylian Mbappé moved to Real Madrid on a free transfer, leaving behind a scent of opportunity that filled the nostrils of Marseille, Monaco and Lille. Roberto De Zerbi was bullish when he joined Marseille. “I’m not here to finish second,” said the manager, who has since moved to Tottenham. Finishing second has now become an aspiration, especially for a club such as Marseille, given their predicament. Continue reading...
A crackdown on time wasting, a record number of new people in charge, and some new faces on Match of the DayThe 2026-27 Premier League season kicks off on Friday and while the familiar rivalries return, the English top flight has some alterations this campaign. From evolved rules to new faces and broadcast changes, there is plenty to catch up on before a ball is kicked.Marco Rose – BournemouthXabi Alonso – ChelseaPierre Sage – Crystal PalaceÁlvaro Arbeloa – FulhamGary O’Neil - Ipswich TownAndoni Iraola – LiverpoolEnzo Maresca- Manchester CityMatthias Jaissle – NewcastleOliver Glasner – Nottingham Forest Continue reading...
Cristiano Ronaldo could make his season debut for Al Nassr in the match against Al Riyadh for the Saudi Pro League. Whether Cristiano Ronaldo actually takes the field on Friday for his Al Nassr’s season debut remains uncertain, but he’s at least back in the conversation. The 41-year-old has yet to make an appearance this season after missing his team opening two matches following his preseason absence. He returned to individual training earlier this week, and while there’s no guarantee he starts, Ronaldo has been included in Ange Postecoglou’s 21-man squad list for the trip to face Al Riyadh, opening the door for him to feature in some capacity even if it’s not from the opening whistle. Ahead of the match, Al Riyadh coach Mauricio Dulac had nothing but praise for the possibility of facing him. “When we talk about Ronaldo, we are talking about a legend, someone who has made history in football and in the world of football. If Cristiano plays against us, it will be a pleasure for everyone,” Dulac said during a press conference. Al Nassr head into the match on a two-match winning run, having opened the Saudi Pro League with a 3-0 win over Al Fateh and cruising 4-1 past Al Diriyah in the King’s Cup. For Al Riyadh, who dropped their season opener 4-2 to Al Ettifaq, the match carries extra weight as they’ll need to win to get their campaign back on track. That’s a wrap on preparations 🎬💛Matchday next ⏭️ pic.twitter.com/2Vidi3Bu7s— AlNassr FC (@AlNassrFC_EN) August 20, 2026 Dulac struck an optimistic tone about the challenge ahead. “They are a very good team with an extremely strong squad and many stars. But I think that is also very good for us, because when we play against good players and very strong teams, we raise our own level as well,” the Brazilian coach added. Postecoglou won’t have his full squad available While Ronaldo’s potential return would give Postecoglou a major boost, it comes as Al Nassr also deals with six absences for the Al Riyadh match. The missing players are Saad Al Nasser, Samu Costa, Mohamed Simakan, Mohamed Maran, Raghed Al Najjar, and Abdulrahman Ghareeb. Per Arriyadiyah, the absences of Costa and Simakan in particular are tied to squad management rather than injury, with Postecoglou opting to rest the Portugal midfielder and France defender due to fatigue after a congested start to the season.
Palace's press suite has benefitted from a summer refurbishment. Not only have the plastic chairs been replaced by rows of leather seating, there is also a new man in the hotseat.
Crystal Palace boss Pierre Sage has been speaking to the media before Saturday's Premier League opener against Everton at Hill Dickinson Stadium (kick-off 15:00 BST). Sage said he was "very happy to begin" as the club can connect with fans again but stressed the Eagles need to "bring the best version" of themselves to "compete" against Everton. A "late decision" will be made on captain Dean Henderson's fitness.
Elias: I am happy that we are spending money on players this summer and preparing for the Europa League, but I don't see why we would get another attacker. Zavier Gozo looks a little overwhelmed with signing for Palace, but a move like this will take time for him to settle. Pierre Sage's got a hard act to follow.
Tap a headline to view metadata and excerpt fields in Sportra, then use the article website button to continue on the original publisher page.