Lens vs Toulouse preview - Valdivia: We've not given up hope

Posted Friday, March 13, 2015 by PA

Lens midfielder Pierrick Valdivia insists no one at the club has given up hope that Ligue 1 survival can be achieved as they prepare for a vital game on Saturday.

Fellow strugglers Toulouse are the visitors to the Stade Felix-Bollaert, with both sides in the bottom three. Lens are desperate to cut the seven-point gap between the sides and enhance their hopes of avoiding a drop straight back into Ligue 2.

Valdivia told local reporters: "It's up to us to find our consistency, but we are firm believers (that we can survive). If that was not the case, what would be the point in going on?

"Toulouse are a big team in Ligue 1 but find themselves in a difficult moment. Lens is a great club too though, and it is for this reason that we are not dead and still present. We are still alive!"

Lens are second from bottom, nine points adrift of safety. They have only won five league games all season, and none in the last nine since victory over Nice on December 19.

Valdivia added: "We savour being in Ligue 1, we are a group that has stuck together even in difficult times this season. Despite the difficult experiences we have had we will do everything to finally win in 2015."

Toulouse are third bottom but only two off safety. However, they lost 6-1 at home to Marseille last time out and need a response.

Their coach Alain Casanova told his club's official website: "On Saturday we will need warriors because sometimes this season players have not been playing to 100 per cent of their capabilities.

"Teams like Lens have the right to believe. They will be pushed by their crowd, so the match will be difficult for us. We must go their with determination and a willingness to get a good result."