Damage limitation key for Papin

RC Lens coach Jean-Pierre Papin admitted his first priority was to "avoid conceding a goal" as his side travel to FC København in their UEFA Cup first round tie tonight.

Dramatic start
UEFA Intertoto Cup winners Lens are still finding their feet after a dramatic start to the season which saw coach Guy Roux come and go in the space of three months, leaving Papin to marshal his side in Ligue 1 and Europe. Having safely guided Lens through to the first round with a 5-1 win at home against BSC Young Boys in the return leg of their second qualifying round tie, the 43-year-old Papin now has his eye on a place in the group stage.

Major obstacle
However, he is well aware that København - UEFA Champions League group stage contenders last season - represent a mighty obstacle for his side and admitted that he was going to the Danish capital with a 'safety first' attitude. "We expect a tough game against a side who are used to playing in the UEFA Champions League," he said. "My main aim is to avoid conceding a goal. They are a great team, champions of their country, and I have told my players to be careful. If we score it's good but the first thing we must seek is a clean sheet in order to have a chance for the second leg."