Racing Club de Lens claimed a 2-1 win against Bayer Leverkusen in the first leg of their Uefa Cup tie. The hosts took the lead from their first chance in the game when Monterrubio gave them a 1-0 lead in the first half. Bayer Leverkusen had the better start into the 2nd half and found a quick equalizer when defender Haggui scored the 1-1 with a header. This score seemed to suit the visitors who retreated to to defensive tactics now for which they got punished when Cousin marked the 2-1 match winner for the hosts from the penalty spot which in the end would be the full time result.

Racing Club de Lens coach Gillot made 2 changes compared to the team that drew 0-0 away at Panathinaikos Athens in their last Uefa Cup game as Monterrubio and Dindane replaced Barul and Jemaa. Bayer Leverkusen coach Skibbe on the other hand made 1 change compared to the team that beat Stuttgart last week in the Bundesliga as Barbarez replaced Freier in midfield.

Leverkusen had the better start into the game and came to 2 good early chances when Haggui missed his target with a shot, while Rolfes missed with a header as the visitors gave the hosts an early scare. As the first half developed however Lens slowly took control and dictated the pace of the game and displayed great efficiency when they opened the score from their first chance when Monterrubio scored eye to eye with goalkeeper Adler after being set up by a nice pass from Hilton. The game slowed down now until close before half-time when Voronin missed a big chance for Leverkusen when his shot from inside the penalty area just went wide as the hosts took a 1-0 lead into the break.

The 2nd half had a similar start than the first as once again Leverkusen had the better start and were unlucky not to score when Rolfes saw his header denied by a great save from Lens goalkeeper Itandje. Not much later however the visitors got their deserved reward when Haggui scored the equalizer with a well-placed header after a corner kick from Castro. The hosts looked nervous now, but instead of pressing on Leverkusen reverted to preserving the 1-1 score for which they got punished as they allowed Lens to find back into the game. With 20 minutes remaining Monterrubio got fouled in the penalty area by Haggui as the Leverkusen defender got sent off with his 2nd yellow card. Cousin took the present from the penalty spot and gave the hosts the 2-1 lead. With 1 man more on the pitch the hosts now pressed for a 3rd goal, but in the end failed to find the net again as both Jemaa and Hilton missed 2 big chances to give Lens a higher margin for the 2nd leg.

Overall the 2-1 home win was a fair reflection of a more or less balanced game in which the hosts were a bit more efficient with their chances, but failed to add an important 3rd goal after Leverkusen were reduced to 10 men. The 2-1 result gives both teams a fair chance of reaching the next round when they meet again for the 2nd leg in Leverkusen.