Clermont were in for a tough test against Lens at Stade de la Beaujoire, but the home side's defensive struggles saw them come away from the match with a hard-fought victory.
The game started off well for Lens, who took control of the midfield and created some good opportunities for themselves. However, their efforts were thwarted by Clermont's strong defence, which kept the ball out of their net throughout the first half.
In the second half, things began to change. With just under an hour left in the match, Ondrej Duda put the hosts ahead with a deflected shot that crept past Lens' goalkeeper. Just minutes later, Fofana doubled the lead with another well-taken goal.
Lens tried to mount a comeback, but it was too little, too late. The visitors could only manage a consolation goal late on, but it was not enough to earn them a point.
Despite losing the match, Lens will be happy with their performance, given how they dominated much of the game. They now face a crucial run of fixtures, including a trip to PSG, so they need to bounce back quickly if they want to keep their hopes of qualifying for Europe alive.
Overall, it was a tough match for both teams, but it was Clermont who came out on top thanks to their solid defence and some excellent individual performances from players like Ondrej Duda and Fofana. As they look towards their next challenge, they can take comfort in the fact that they have a strong squad and should be able to compete with any team in France.