Leca admits: Lens are not at UEFA Champions League level after historic defeat to Como

RC Lens' sporting director Jean-Louis Leca has acknowledged the club's responsibility for the historic defeat the team suffered against Como, losing 1-9 on Wednesday evening in the UEFA Champions League. He described what happened as a "complete failure," as Lens recorded the heaviest home defeat in the competition's history since the new format was adopted in 1992.

Lika, in statements reported by "L'Équipe", said that the team was not in its best mental state during the match, pointing out that the players needed to stop the team's collapse after conceding four goals in less than 20 minutes at the start of the second half.

He added: "Were we at 100% mental readiness? I don't know. But what is certain is that at a certain stage we should have closed the match and stopped this collapse."

The sporting director explained the gap between his team's capabilities and the demands of the UEFA Champions League, stating: "We won't fool ourselves, we are not at the level of the UEFA Champions League. That is the truth, but that does not mean that a 1-9 defeat is normal; it is not normal at all. The UEFA Champions League tends to heighten the atmosphere and pressures."

Regarding coach Yannick Cahuzac's future, Leek dismissed the possibility of him leaving or resigning after the disaster, affirming continued confidence in him despite the criticism aimed at the coaching staff. He said: "Absolutely not, no one is thinking about leaving, neither he nor us. If he were to resign, we would refuse it."

Lika emphasized that the club's management takes responsibility for its decisions and does not intend to reverse the decision to dismiss German coach Dino Toppmöller last September, who was succeeded by Kahouzak. He added: "When you are responsible at the club, you must always take responsibility for your choices."

RC Lens are looking to overcome the effects of their heavy defeat and focus on their upcoming match against Olympique Marseille, scheduled for Sunday evening. They currently sit in 9th place in Ligue 1, while they are languishing in 33rd place in the UEFA Champions League.