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Lens find their UEFA Cup future hanging in the balance as they prepare to host Serie A side Sampdoria this evening.
Fourth in Group C, Francis Gillot's charges need to beat their Italian opponents to be sure of making the last 32, although a draw would also be enough if Hertha Berlin lose to Steaua Bucharest.
"We have no margin for error. If we want to continue the adventure, we have to win," striker Daniel Cousin (pictured) told L'Equipe. "That would be confirmation of all the good work we've done, plus it would help us finish the year on a high.
"It would be stupid to miss out after having put so much effort in. As for me, I really want to score and conclude my great start to the season in the best possible way."
The Gabonese striker has netted seven times in Ligue 1 so far, but the most prolific man on the Stade Félix-Bollaert pitch will be Sampdoria's giant forward Emiliano Bonazzoli – scorer of nine goals in the Italian top flight.
"He's like a control tower," summed up Gillot. "What's more, he holds on to the ball very well and the Italians are going to play around him. It's up to us to be careful."
A point would see the club placed sixth in Serie A through to the next round, and Gillot is expecting them to put in a strong defensive performance.
"We're used to this type of game," he explained. "I've seen Sampdoria's last few matches and I'm not surprised they're doing well. They don't lose a lot and we can expect a strong performance from them.
"What we need to do is put them under pressure right from the start. When they're under the cosh a bit, as they were in Bucharest, Sampdoria can begin to crack. So we'll attack, while being careful not to lose out on the break."
The pressure is certainly on for Les Sang et Or, but Gillot can content himself with having almost a full squad to choose from.
Brazilian centre-back Vitorino Hilton is the only player due to miss out, because of a broken nose, meaning Nicolas Gillet and Adama Coulibaly will continue their partnership in the middle.
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