(Reuters) - The Bollaert-Delelis stadium will come to the boil on Saturday with RC Lens poised to clinch second place in Ligue 1 and with it their first ticket to the Champions League group phase in 21 years.
Victory against an already-relegated AC Ajaccio would ensure Lens a top-two finish which brings an automatic spot in Europe's elite club competition.
With a close relationship to their fans and a squad punching above their weight in the French top flight, Lens have also drawn comparisons to the fictional AFC Richmond side from TV show 'Ted Lasso'. After winning their only French title in 1997-98, Lens entered the Champions League the following season, beating Arsenal at Wembley in a group fixture.
"It's exhausting. It will be a great moment with our fans but we have not been talking about celebrations. We are not in the Champions League yet."
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