After several weeks of pre-season preparation, French football reaches its first major appointment of the season. Racing Club de Lens hosts Paris Saint-Germain this Sunday at Bollaert-Delelis for the Trophée des Champions, with kick-off set for 18:45 GMT, or 20:45 in France.
The Coupe de France winners against the French champions. And above all, two teams that come into this final with very different levels of preparation.
Lens wants to make the most of Bollaert
For Lens, this evening represents far more than a simple season opener. Les Sang et Or won the first Coupe de France in their history last season and finished second in Ligue 1. This Trophée des Champions therefore represents another opportunity to measure up to their new status.
Change is also notable on the bench: Dino Toppmöller has taken charge of a team that must now confirm its place among the best sides in France.
Pre-season provided some interesting lessons, even if it ended in a 0-2 defeat against Sunderland. Lens had previously strung together several encouraging results. But their main weapon remains, of course, Bollaert: in a stadium that promises to be electric, Lens will have the ideal environment to make life difficult for PSG.
Paris arrives already with a trophy
PSG hold an obvious advantage: their season has already started. Paris won the UEFA Super Cup against Aston Villa (2-1) on Wednesday. Luis Enrique must however manage a particular schedule, following a summer period marked by the World Cup and the late return of several international players.
The Parisian club nonetheless comes off a historic season, with the French championship and the Champions League in their trophy cabinet. They now want to immediately add another piece of silverware.
The tactical duel
The main question will be one of balance of power. Lens will need to escape Paris's pressing without exposing their defensive block in behind, while PSG will naturally look to monopolise the ball and establish their game in the Lens half.
Les Sang et Or would do well to exploit transitions: if they can win the ball back high up the pitch or attack space quickly, they can put Paris under pressure. For Luis Enrique, the challenge will be to control the tempo without offering Lens the counter-attacking situations they will be looking for.
A trophy and an early statement
The Trophée des Champions will obviously not decide the season. But it can already send a strong signal. Lens want to prove that their Coupe de France and second-place finish in Ligue 1 were no accidents. PSG want to immediately remind everyone why they remain the masters of French football.
At Bollaert, the stage is set for a first clash between two ambitions.
Practical information
- 📅 Sunday 16 August 2026
- ⏰ 18:45 GMT — 20:45 in France
- 🏟️ Stade Bollaert-Delelis, Lens
- 🏆 Trophée des Champions
Lens-PSG: French football's first trophy of the season is already being played out in a stadium that will want only one thing — to bring Paris down.
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