Mat Ryan shines in debut for RC Lens with clean sheet
Mat Ryan made an impressive debut for RC Lens, achieving a clean sheet in a 1-0 win over Angers as he aims to regain his position as the Socceroos' first-choice goalkeeper.
Mat Ryan has shown no signs of rust for new club RC Lens, registering a clean sheet in his debut for the Ligue 1 side as he seeks to re-establish himself as the Socceroos' first-choice goalkeeper.
Ryan only arrived at the French club late last week, sealing a January transfer window move after playing just once for Roma during a six-month stint in the Italian capital.
The No.1's lack of game time in Serie A sparked concerns over Ryan's future as the Socceroos' captain and first-choice goalkeeper.
Australia coach Tony Popovic has used Ryan just once since taking the top job, preferring to deploy Aston Villa back-up keeper Joe Gauci in three of the four World Cup qualifiers of his tenure.
But Lens coach Will Still had no hesitation in picking Ryan ahead of incumbent Herve Koffi, claiming the Australian - a veteran of three World Cup campaigns - gave his side a calmness at the back.
Midfielder Przemyslaw Frankowski fired Lens to a rain-soaked 1-0 home win over Angers, which puts Ryan's new club on the cusp of the continental qualification places.
Ryan, who has previously spent time with Valencia and Real Sociedad in La Liga, speaks little French and communicated with his new teammates in a mix of Spanish and English.
"It was some of the worst weather I've played in for a long time," Ryan told local media as Lens moved up to seventh.
"It's good to start with a win and a clean sheet, it's the best scenario.
"We defended well and I didn't have a lot to do.
"With everything I've learned in football, I know I can really help the team if I'm given a chance."
Elsewhere in the French top flight, Denis Genreau continued his run in Toulouse's starting XI, playing 76 minutes in a 2-1 home defeat on Monday morning (AEDT) at the hands of Montpellier.
Former Macarthur and Melbourne City midfielder Genreau, 25, has been hampered by injury over the past 12 months but has now started three consecutive matches for Toulouse as he looks to put himself on Popovic's radar.
Meanwhile, second-placed Marseille lost further ground on Paris Saint Germain at the top of the table following a 2-0 defeat to Nice.
Marseille are now 10 points behind the Parisians after Evann Guessand scored one goal and set up Mohamed-Ali Cho for another to move Nice up to fourth.
