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Toulouse faces relegation battle against Lens

Fri 29th, February 2008

Lens, France (Sports Network) - Toulouse was one step away from the Champions League group stage last summer but with 12 matches left in Ligue 1 is battling just to avoid relegation.

Toulouse, which was third in France's top division last season, is 18th so far entering Saturday's key relegation battle with Lens - which is one point ahead in 17th.

Four of the five teams ahead of Toulouse and Lens plays against top-five clubs this weekend, which could open the door for either side to make a major move toward avoiding relegation.

Lens is in better shape - three points ahead of Toulouse - with a game in hand and just one victory from possibly passing four teams. Lens is also minus-2 in goal differential.

Lens was impressive in the Coupe De La Ligue semifinals Wednesday, topping Le Mans 5-4 to reach the final against PSG.

Lens coach Jean-Pierre Papin wants a repeat performance from his side against Toulouse.

"We must be just as dynamic," Papin told the club's website. "We must dare and attempt things."

Toulouse, which lost its Champions League qualifier to Liverpool on aggregate, 5-0, has more work to do. Toulouse is just one point ahead of Sochaux, but is well in front of last-place Metz.

Metz has just 14 points from 26 matches, all but locking up a relegation spot.

Toulouse is hoping it's not occupying one of the other two spots at the end of the season.

"We need to come back from Lens with something, even (if) it is just a point. Our destiny is in our hands. Where our journey goes from here is down to us," Toulouse coach Elie Baup said on the club's website.

Olivier Monterubbio scored for Lens and Bryan Bergougnoux scored for Toulouse as the clubs tied their previous meeting 1-1 on Sept. 22.

Sochaux can take advantage of a loss or tie by Toulouse to pick up one spot in the relegation battle Saturday but visits 13th-place Rennes, which can move 10 points clear of the drop zone with a win.

Also Saturday, first-place Lyon hosts 14th-place Lille, fourth-place Le Mans hosts 15th-place Strasbourg, fifth-place Marseille hosts 12th-place Auxerre, Monaco hosts Valenciennes, Lorient hosts Nancy and Metz hosts Caen.

On Sunday, second-place Bordeaux hosts 16th-place PSG and St. Etienne hosts Nice.

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