The weekend in review.
Cup joy for Lyon, 1-0 winners over Quevilly who will forever be called 'plucky', and Olympiakos who sealed a league and cup double.
League joy for Porto where their win over Marítimo and Benfica's draw with Rio Ave meant that the gap is out to six points. With Porto shading the head-to-head record, they cannot now be caught in the final two games. League joy for Basel who beat Lausanne while Luzern could only draw with Grasshopper. No joy for Christian Gross, offed by Young Boys after defeat to embattled Servette.
Almost impossible to interrupt league joy for Ajax. A win over FC Twente - who slump to sixth as a result - leaves the Amsterdammers six points clear of Feyenoord who move up to second. But with a goal difference superior to the tune of 24, it's pretty much a done deal. Quite a start to the managerial career of Frank de Boer. At least one, maybe two, of the top six will miss out on European football for next season. There's a hell of a scrap on for second, third and fourth. The final European spot is decided by play-offs.
So close to league joy that you can almost smell it in France. Montpellier scraped past Toulouse on Friday night and sat back while PSG took on Lille and lost. The gap is out to five points now, as big as it's been all season, but four games remain.
Three games and three points; so goes the equation in Italy. Juventus remain unbeaten and beat lowly Novara easily. Milan did likewise in Siena, maintaining the status quo. Behind them, four teams - Lazio, Napoli, Inter and Udinese - are locked on 55 points in the scramble for third.
European places are settled in Germany. Dortmund are champions, Bayern are second, Schalke - who bade a home farewell to Raúl - are third. Gladbach are fourth and go into the Champions League qualifiers. Levekusen and Stuttgart go into the Europa League. Hertha were battered by Schalke and now must win their final game to stand a chance of staying up through the relegation play-off. Koln will go into that play-off with any other outcome, the opponents being Fortuna Dusseldorf, Paderborn or St Pauli. The latter two play each other next week, Fortuna against mid-table MSV Duisburg.
Delayed league gratification in Spain. El Real comfortably beat Sevilla and then hoped Rayo could take something from their home game with Barcelona. They couldn't, emphatically so. 7-0 it finished. And so we go to Wednesday and El Real's trip to the Basque country and Marcelo Bielsa's Athletic. In the race for third, Málaga beat Valencia by a goal to nil to go level on points. Wins for both Sporting Gíjón - 3-0 away to Espanyol - and Zaragoza - 2-0 over Athletic - kept their survival hopes alive for now. Another win for Villarreal will end it for both. On Tuesday, the Yellow Submarine go to Gijón.
Derby joy for Wisła Kraków and Manchester City. The former doesn't really ignite the race for the Ekstraklasa title - that's a five-way scrap between Legia, Slask, Ruch, Lech and Korona - but, coupled with Lechia's win over Widzew Łódź, confirms Cracovia's relegation. It didn't help that Cracovia finished with nine men. Vincent Kompany and some strangely negative tactics from Alex Ferguson helped City to a win over their neighbours United and leaves the EPL title race on a knife-edge.
Finally, title joy for the Brisbane Roar, recipients of one of the worst calls in refereeing history. With the game locked at 1-1 and in the fifth of four minutes of added time at the end, a complete airshot in the box from Roar striker Besart Berisha ended with him falling over and claiming a penalty. To the incredulity of most of the 50,000+ in the ground, it was given. You know it's a dodgy call when the recipient of the penalty runs off celebrating like Marco Tardelli. After a bit of a scuffle, for which Perth defender Billy Mehmet was booked for slapping Berisha, the man 'fouled' slotted home the spot kick to win the title for his side. The referee Jared Gillett is a Brisbane man. The final was played in Brisbane. Gillett's other half works for the Roar. Why the A-League put him in charge is a mystery. Not for one moment are we suggesting it was anything other than an error, but when you have the opportunity to nip conspiracy theories in the bud, why not take it? It's as much to be seen as being beyond reproach as actually being it. Needless to say, the head of the refereeing board backs his man to the hilt, reckoning that even after replays, he saw enough contact - we saw none, incidentally - to warrant the penalty. Rubbish.
Still lots to play for around the leagues and a busy midweek schedule to come.
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Showing posts with label Coupe de France. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Coupe de France. Show all posts
Tuesday, 1 May 2012
Friday, 27 April 2012
Marking your card #7
Herewith our picks of the more interesting games around Europe this weekend.
After the fun and games of title deciders last weekend, there could be a few more this week too. There are also some cup final shenanigans.
First to Russia, where long-time leaders Zenit just need a point at home to second-placed Dinamo Moscow to seal the title. They're 12 points clear with four games to go including this one, so Dinamo need to win everything while hoping Zenit lose everything. If not this week for Zenit, it will surely come soon. They've been the best all season by some distance. The chase for second place and a Champions League spot is perhaps more interesting. Dinamo are a point ahead of Spartak with CSKA two further back. Spartak are away to CSKA this week.
Ajax need a win to seal a second successive championship in the Netherlands. When all around have faltered, they've kept on keeping on. Frank de Boer has already been spoken about in terms of the Barcelona job should Pep Guardiola step down (not confirmed at time of writing) and two Eredivisie soup dishes isn't a bad way to start your managerial career, especially given the state Ajax were in when he took the reins. They are in Enschede this week to play FC Twente who are in a similar hunt for points to make it to that second Champions League spot. It's third v second at De Kuip where Feyenoord host AZ and PSV aren't out of the hunt for second either. They're in Kerkrade to play Roda JC. Heerenveen are still in with a shout of European qualification and are away to Heracles this week.
It's the French Cup final on Saturday with minnows US Quevilly playing the giants of Lyon. Quevilly getting this far has been one of those feel-good stories that cup football throws up occasionally and it's sure to be quite a party in the tiny Norman village whatever the outcome. It's all on Lyon, a no-win situation in many respects.
Ligue 1 continues as well and PSG's trip to nearby Lille is the big clash of the round. Lille need the points to maintain a Champions League spot and any hope of overhauling their near neighbours. PSG need points for their title push. Montpellier have a tough Friday night assignment in Toulouse, though TFC have dropped off the pace a little of late.
Olympiakos sealed the Greek championship a while back and get the opportunity to make it a double this weekend in the Cup final against Atromitos. Olympiakos have only lost one of their last twelve against domestic opposition while Atromitos - fourth place in the Super League table - haven't won for a month. It should be a formality. Should be...
Basel are technically champions of Switzerland at the moment, but for an appeal by second-placed Luzern over points docked in relation to FC Sion's ineligible player row, specifically points they think they should have been awarded for a game against Sion. Basel, diplomatically and sensibly, aren't claiming anything, but a win over eighth-place Lausanne will be enough no matter what happens to Luzern either at CAS or away to Grasshopper this weekend.
The Spanish title is all but decided after last week's clasico and it would take a choke of spectacular proportions to deny El Real now. The big race is on for third place and Valencia go to Málaga this weekend. Málaga trail Los Che by three, but Valencia beat them 2-0 in the Mestalla. Málaga therefore need to win this by three to go ahead on the head-to-head. Should Valencia win, there's a real push for fourth with Levante, Athletic, Atlético and Osasuna all in the frame.
The English championship could be decided in all but name on Monday where the two Manchester clubs meet at City's ground. A draw will pretty much do for United, allowing them a mulligan in the final two games. City have to win and, at home, the onus is very much on them. It promises to be quite a game.
Us? Well it's the final round of games in the Blue Square Premier. We're off to York's home game with Forest Green Rovers. York are sealed in the play-off places, but who they play is open to question. It could be Mansfield - safe in third - or it could be Wrexham - ina lonely second. Who the fourth team in those play-offs is yet to be decided as well. Luton are fifth at the moment and are away to runaway champions Fleetwood. Kidderminster are two points behind them and play Mansfield at home. Intrigue right the way through. Who Fleetwood plus one replace in the football league is two of Macclesfield, Hereford and Barnet. That picture won't become a lot clearer until five o'clock tomorrow.
After the fun and games of title deciders last weekend, there could be a few more this week too. There are also some cup final shenanigans.
First to Russia, where long-time leaders Zenit just need a point at home to second-placed Dinamo Moscow to seal the title. They're 12 points clear with four games to go including this one, so Dinamo need to win everything while hoping Zenit lose everything. If not this week for Zenit, it will surely come soon. They've been the best all season by some distance. The chase for second place and a Champions League spot is perhaps more interesting. Dinamo are a point ahead of Spartak with CSKA two further back. Spartak are away to CSKA this week.
Ajax need a win to seal a second successive championship in the Netherlands. When all around have faltered, they've kept on keeping on. Frank de Boer has already been spoken about in terms of the Barcelona job should Pep Guardiola step down (not confirmed at time of writing) and two Eredivisie soup dishes isn't a bad way to start your managerial career, especially given the state Ajax were in when he took the reins. They are in Enschede this week to play FC Twente who are in a similar hunt for points to make it to that second Champions League spot. It's third v second at De Kuip where Feyenoord host AZ and PSV aren't out of the hunt for second either. They're in Kerkrade to play Roda JC. Heerenveen are still in with a shout of European qualification and are away to Heracles this week.
It's the French Cup final on Saturday with minnows US Quevilly playing the giants of Lyon. Quevilly getting this far has been one of those feel-good stories that cup football throws up occasionally and it's sure to be quite a party in the tiny Norman village whatever the outcome. It's all on Lyon, a no-win situation in many respects.
Ligue 1 continues as well and PSG's trip to nearby Lille is the big clash of the round. Lille need the points to maintain a Champions League spot and any hope of overhauling their near neighbours. PSG need points for their title push. Montpellier have a tough Friday night assignment in Toulouse, though TFC have dropped off the pace a little of late.
Olympiakos sealed the Greek championship a while back and get the opportunity to make it a double this weekend in the Cup final against Atromitos. Olympiakos have only lost one of their last twelve against domestic opposition while Atromitos - fourth place in the Super League table - haven't won for a month. It should be a formality. Should be...
Basel are technically champions of Switzerland at the moment, but for an appeal by second-placed Luzern over points docked in relation to FC Sion's ineligible player row, specifically points they think they should have been awarded for a game against Sion. Basel, diplomatically and sensibly, aren't claiming anything, but a win over eighth-place Lausanne will be enough no matter what happens to Luzern either at CAS or away to Grasshopper this weekend.
The Spanish title is all but decided after last week's clasico and it would take a choke of spectacular proportions to deny El Real now. The big race is on for third place and Valencia go to Málaga this weekend. Málaga trail Los Che by three, but Valencia beat them 2-0 in the Mestalla. Málaga therefore need to win this by three to go ahead on the head-to-head. Should Valencia win, there's a real push for fourth with Levante, Athletic, Atlético and Osasuna all in the frame.
The English championship could be decided in all but name on Monday where the two Manchester clubs meet at City's ground. A draw will pretty much do for United, allowing them a mulligan in the final two games. City have to win and, at home, the onus is very much on them. It promises to be quite a game.
Us? Well it's the final round of games in the Blue Square Premier. We're off to York's home game with Forest Green Rovers. York are sealed in the play-off places, but who they play is open to question. It could be Mansfield - safe in third - or it could be Wrexham - ina lonely second. Who the fourth team in those play-offs is yet to be decided as well. Luton are fifth at the moment and are away to runaway champions Fleetwood. Kidderminster are two points behind them and play Mansfield at home. Intrigue right the way through. Who Fleetwood plus one replace in the football league is two of Macclesfield, Hereford and Barnet. That picture won't become a lot clearer until five o'clock tomorrow.
Thursday, 12 April 2012
TW3 #7
That was the (mid)week that was. And what a midweek. So much going on, we'll rattle through as best we can.
Where to start? France, probably, where third-tier Quevilly made it through to the final of the Coupe de France by beeating Rennes. The Ligue 1 side were ahead early on through Julien Féret, but couldn't find a second. Karim Herouat equalised midway through the second half and, with the game heading for extra-time and Quevilly under massive pressure, they broke quickly and Anthony Laup slid one past Benoit Costil for a sensational late win. They take on Lyon in the final on the 28th of this month after they beat Gazelec Ajaccio on Tuesday. In Ligue 1, Montpellier eased past an increasingly shambolic Marseille side 3-1 to take a three-point lead in the standings over PSG.
On Tuesday, Barcelona took Getafe apart at a stroll to move within a point of Real Madrid who had a derby clash at the Calderon the following day. A Cristiano Ronaldo hat-trick helped the leaders past their city rivals with a 4-1 win. Atléti were level, briefly, but El Real were rarely in serious danger of dropping points. The battle for the league rolls on. Valencia were also big winners, 4-1 over Rayo, and move back to third with Málaga in action on Thursday.
A potentially decisive clash in Dortmund saw BvB place one hand on the championship plate with a 1-0 win over nearest challengers Bayern. Despite the Schwarzgelb dominating the first half, the sides turned round at 0-0, Robert Lewandowski with the best chance as he crashed a thunderous header off the post with Manuel Neuer - the ex-Schalke keeper getting dogs abuse all evening from the local fans - well beaten. Bayern were better after the break, but Dortmund still created the better chances and went ahead as a short corner routine ended with Lewandowski getting a vital touch onto a Kevin Grosskreutz shot. Arjen Robben was playing the big Pole onside and later had a tame penalty easily saved by Roman Weidenfeller, the keeper atoning for his brain explosion that caused him to give it away in the first place. Neven Subotic played the Martin Keown role in reminding Robben of what he'd done and the Dutchman's night got worse when he missed an alomst open goal from all of a couple of yards. Lautern lost again and are nine points from the relative safety of the relegation play-offs with four games remaining.
In Serie A, Milan went back to the top after Sulley Muntari's early goal was enough to beat Chievo, but a late winner from the ageless Alessandro del Piero helped Juventus beat Lazio and return to the summit a day later. Inter beat Siena and move within three points of Udinese in fourth, though Roma and Napoli sit in between.
It was a good midweek for Ajax, 5-0 winners over 10-man Heerenveen who had goalkeeper Brian Vandenbussche sent off early on. Theo Janssen converted the resultant penalty and Ajax strolled to a win. PSV lost at Waalwijk to leave themselves and Heerenveen seven points off Ajax with five games to go and all but out of the race. Feyenoord were held 0-0 by Roda JC and are six points back from the Amsterdammers while AZ and Twente drew 2-2, Emir Bajrami with a late equaliser for the Tukkers, leaving them three and five points adrift.
A surprise defeat for Manchester United at Wigan sees the latter pull themselves out of the relegation places in England for the first time since September. It's also caused a frisson of intrigue at the top, but United's lead over city rivals City remains at five points - a gulf. With QPR winning as well as Wigan, it was a bad midweek for Bolton and Blackburn who were both beaten and both slip into the bottom three along with the doomed Wolves.
Finally to Scotland where it's congratulations to Ross County on making it to the SPL for the first time. Playing in the Highland League up until 1994, they've slowly been building towards this, coming via a Scottish Cup Final in 2010. Not in action this week, their promotion was confirmed when Dundee were held at home by Queen of the South. This isn't a case of cashed-up Gretna or a financial basket-case like Livingston. It's been slow, steady progress and more power to their elbow for that.
Where to start? France, probably, where third-tier Quevilly made it through to the final of the Coupe de France by beeating Rennes. The Ligue 1 side were ahead early on through Julien Féret, but couldn't find a second. Karim Herouat equalised midway through the second half and, with the game heading for extra-time and Quevilly under massive pressure, they broke quickly and Anthony Laup slid one past Benoit Costil for a sensational late win. They take on Lyon in the final on the 28th of this month after they beat Gazelec Ajaccio on Tuesday. In Ligue 1, Montpellier eased past an increasingly shambolic Marseille side 3-1 to take a three-point lead in the standings over PSG.
On Tuesday, Barcelona took Getafe apart at a stroll to move within a point of Real Madrid who had a derby clash at the Calderon the following day. A Cristiano Ronaldo hat-trick helped the leaders past their city rivals with a 4-1 win. Atléti were level, briefly, but El Real were rarely in serious danger of dropping points. The battle for the league rolls on. Valencia were also big winners, 4-1 over Rayo, and move back to third with Málaga in action on Thursday.
A potentially decisive clash in Dortmund saw BvB place one hand on the championship plate with a 1-0 win over nearest challengers Bayern. Despite the Schwarzgelb dominating the first half, the sides turned round at 0-0, Robert Lewandowski with the best chance as he crashed a thunderous header off the post with Manuel Neuer - the ex-Schalke keeper getting dogs abuse all evening from the local fans - well beaten. Bayern were better after the break, but Dortmund still created the better chances and went ahead as a short corner routine ended with Lewandowski getting a vital touch onto a Kevin Grosskreutz shot. Arjen Robben was playing the big Pole onside and later had a tame penalty easily saved by Roman Weidenfeller, the keeper atoning for his brain explosion that caused him to give it away in the first place. Neven Subotic played the Martin Keown role in reminding Robben of what he'd done and the Dutchman's night got worse when he missed an alomst open goal from all of a couple of yards. Lautern lost again and are nine points from the relative safety of the relegation play-offs with four games remaining.
In Serie A, Milan went back to the top after Sulley Muntari's early goal was enough to beat Chievo, but a late winner from the ageless Alessandro del Piero helped Juventus beat Lazio and return to the summit a day later. Inter beat Siena and move within three points of Udinese in fourth, though Roma and Napoli sit in between.
It was a good midweek for Ajax, 5-0 winners over 10-man Heerenveen who had goalkeeper Brian Vandenbussche sent off early on. Theo Janssen converted the resultant penalty and Ajax strolled to a win. PSV lost at Waalwijk to leave themselves and Heerenveen seven points off Ajax with five games to go and all but out of the race. Feyenoord were held 0-0 by Roda JC and are six points back from the Amsterdammers while AZ and Twente drew 2-2, Emir Bajrami with a late equaliser for the Tukkers, leaving them three and five points adrift.
A surprise defeat for Manchester United at Wigan sees the latter pull themselves out of the relegation places in England for the first time since September. It's also caused a frisson of intrigue at the top, but United's lead over city rivals City remains at five points - a gulf. With QPR winning as well as Wigan, it was a bad midweek for Bolton and Blackburn who were both beaten and both slip into the bottom three along with the doomed Wolves.
Finally to Scotland where it's congratulations to Ross County on making it to the SPL for the first time. Playing in the Highland League up until 1994, they've slowly been building towards this, coming via a Scottish Cup Final in 2010. Not in action this week, their promotion was confirmed when Dundee were held at home by Queen of the South. This isn't a case of cashed-up Gretna or a financial basket-case like Livingston. It's been slow, steady progress and more power to their elbow for that.
Thursday, 22 March 2012
That was the (mid)week that was #3
It's now a fully blown crisis at Marseille as they were dumped out of the Coupe de France by third-tier Quevilly. The game was played in Caen rather than at the tiny, 2,500 capacity Stade Amable Lozai and Marseille needed a late Loic Remy equaliser to take it into extra-time. He scored again in the extra half-hour, but only in between two strikes from John Ayina, the last a couple of minutes from the end of the 120 minutes. An upset too on Corsica where 3rd division Gamélec Ajaccio beat Montpellier. PSG are also out, beaten by Lyon, and Rennes progressed against Valenciennes.
No such cup joy for Greuther Fürth of 2.Bundesliga, but they did give Borussia Dortmund a real fright. They dragged their semi-final through to extra time, but a last-miute goal from Ilkay Gundogan denied them at least a penalty shoot-out. A shoot-out was what we had in the other semi, Bayern edging out Gladbach.
The semi-final of the Coppa Italia between Milan and Juventus also went to extra-time having ended 2-1 to Milan after the 90 minutes which left it all square on aggregate. Six minutes into the additional period, Mirko Vucinic blasted in a stunner and Juve held firm for the remaining time in a heated game. Napoli join the Old Lady there after beating Siena.
PSV eased past Heerenveen for the second time in a matter of days to reach the KNVB Beker final. PSV are joined in the final by Heracles who beat AZ in extra-time. The little club with the plastic pitch are almost certainly in the Europa League next year. Twente struggled past ten-man De Graafschap in a delayed league game from the cold snap in January. Graafschap were extremely unlucky not to grab a point. Luuk de Jong was carried off after turning his ankle and that could be key to Twente's fortunes for the remainder of the season.
The NextGen series sees Ajax joined in Sunday's final by Internazionale after a 2-0 win over Marseille at Brentford's Griffin Park. The final is also in London, at Leyton Orient's Brisbane Road ground.
Finally, Spain. Lionel Messi. He's now scored three or more in a game on nine occasions this season. It's difficult to think of anything else to say about him. El Real finished with nine on the field and Aitor Karanka and Jose Mourinho sent from the bench at El Madrigal where Marcos Senna's wonderful free-kick denied Los Blancos a win. The gap is down to six points at the top. Game on? Levante continue to stake a claim for fourth place, but Málaga have kept it to one goal difference.
No such cup joy for Greuther Fürth of 2.Bundesliga, but they did give Borussia Dortmund a real fright. They dragged their semi-final through to extra time, but a last-miute goal from Ilkay Gundogan denied them at least a penalty shoot-out. A shoot-out was what we had in the other semi, Bayern edging out Gladbach.
The semi-final of the Coppa Italia between Milan and Juventus also went to extra-time having ended 2-1 to Milan after the 90 minutes which left it all square on aggregate. Six minutes into the additional period, Mirko Vucinic blasted in a stunner and Juve held firm for the remaining time in a heated game. Napoli join the Old Lady there after beating Siena.
PSV eased past Heerenveen for the second time in a matter of days to reach the KNVB Beker final. PSV are joined in the final by Heracles who beat AZ in extra-time. The little club with the plastic pitch are almost certainly in the Europa League next year. Twente struggled past ten-man De Graafschap in a delayed league game from the cold snap in January. Graafschap were extremely unlucky not to grab a point. Luuk de Jong was carried off after turning his ankle and that could be key to Twente's fortunes for the remainder of the season.
The NextGen series sees Ajax joined in Sunday's final by Internazionale after a 2-0 win over Marseille at Brentford's Griffin Park. The final is also in London, at Leyton Orient's Brisbane Road ground.
Finally, Spain. Lionel Messi. He's now scored three or more in a game on nine occasions this season. It's difficult to think of anything else to say about him. El Real finished with nine on the field and Aitor Karanka and Jose Mourinho sent from the bench at El Madrigal where Marcos Senna's wonderful free-kick denied Los Blancos a win. The gap is down to six points at the top. Game on? Levante continue to stake a claim for fourth place, but Málaga have kept it to one goal difference.
Monday, 11 May 2009
Guingamp spring a surprise
Rennes 1-2 Guingamp
Rennes' European ambitions look over after a surprise defeat in the final of the Coupe de France. American defender Carlos Bocanegra gave Guy Lacombe's Ligue 1 favourites the edge, heading in a free-kick from close range with 20 minutes to go. Brazilian striker Eduardo dos Santos equalised with a fine strike three minutes later and, with seven minutes remaining, he put Guingamp in front as the Rennes defence got caught out.
The league programme was off for the weekend because of the cup final, but we have a full round of fixtures in midweek.
Tuesday:
Lyon v Nantes
Wednesday:
Nancy v Lorient
Auxerre v Grenoble
Nice v Marseille
Le Havre v St Etienne
Toulouse v Lille
Sochaux v Monaco
Rennes v Caen
Le Mans v PSG
Valenciennes v Bordeaux
Lots of issues still to decided at either end of the table. Bordeaux should see off Valenciennes with ease given the two sides relative form. Laurent Blanc's side are playing quite magnificently at the moment, maintaining the pressure on leaders Marseille who have the tougher task this week, going away to Nice. Lyon are seven adrift and surely too far away with four games remaining, though they should beat relegation haunted Nantes. Claude Puel has dismissed reports that he'll leave Lyon after a disappointing first season, but PSG will start next season with a new gaffer as Paul Le Guen will leave Parc des Princes when this season is done. They're still fighting for European football, but will be hot favourites to see off Le Mans. Toulouse were buoyed in midweek by the news that André-Pierre Gignac has committed his future to the club and their game against Lille will see the loser all but out of the race for Europe.
Down at the bottom, Le Havre can still save themselves, albeit with an unlikely set of circumstances needing to come about were it to happen. They face St Etienne in a relegation tussle. Les Verts are desperate for points just as Le Havre are so this will either be a gung ho excitathon or as cagey as your average budgerigar's living arrangements. Caen won well last time out to move out of the bottom three and take on Rennes who must be deflated after that Cup defeat. Rennes are six points away from a European place. Surely it's gone now. Sochaux are out of the bottom three, but will be doing well to see off in-form Monaco while Nancy have pulled out of trouble these last few weeks and could go above Lorient if they beat them on Wednesday. Auxerre are in great form, as they have been since their talisman, Ireneusz Jelen, came back from injury, and they welcome Grenoble to the Abbé-Deschamps in a mid-table tussle.
Rennes' European ambitions look over after a surprise defeat in the final of the Coupe de France. American defender Carlos Bocanegra gave Guy Lacombe's Ligue 1 favourites the edge, heading in a free-kick from close range with 20 minutes to go. Brazilian striker Eduardo dos Santos equalised with a fine strike three minutes later and, with seven minutes remaining, he put Guingamp in front as the Rennes defence got caught out.
The league programme was off for the weekend because of the cup final, but we have a full round of fixtures in midweek.
Tuesday:
Lyon v Nantes
Wednesday:
Nancy v Lorient
Auxerre v Grenoble
Nice v Marseille
Le Havre v St Etienne
Toulouse v Lille
Sochaux v Monaco
Rennes v Caen
Le Mans v PSG
Valenciennes v Bordeaux
Lots of issues still to decided at either end of the table. Bordeaux should see off Valenciennes with ease given the two sides relative form. Laurent Blanc's side are playing quite magnificently at the moment, maintaining the pressure on leaders Marseille who have the tougher task this week, going away to Nice. Lyon are seven adrift and surely too far away with four games remaining, though they should beat relegation haunted Nantes. Claude Puel has dismissed reports that he'll leave Lyon after a disappointing first season, but PSG will start next season with a new gaffer as Paul Le Guen will leave Parc des Princes when this season is done. They're still fighting for European football, but will be hot favourites to see off Le Mans. Toulouse were buoyed in midweek by the news that André-Pierre Gignac has committed his future to the club and their game against Lille will see the loser all but out of the race for Europe.
Down at the bottom, Le Havre can still save themselves, albeit with an unlikely set of circumstances needing to come about were it to happen. They face St Etienne in a relegation tussle. Les Verts are desperate for points just as Le Havre are so this will either be a gung ho excitathon or as cagey as your average budgerigar's living arrangements. Caen won well last time out to move out of the bottom three and take on Rennes who must be deflated after that Cup defeat. Rennes are six points away from a European place. Surely it's gone now. Sochaux are out of the bottom three, but will be doing well to see off in-form Monaco while Nancy have pulled out of trouble these last few weeks and could go above Lorient if they beat them on Wednesday. Auxerre are in great form, as they have been since their talisman, Ireneusz Jelen, came back from injury, and they welcome Grenoble to the Abbé-Deschamps in a mid-table tussle.
Friday, 8 May 2009
Rennes' best route to Europe
No French league action this weekend, though they pick it up with a round of fixtures on Tuesday and Wednesday, as it's the Cup final on Saturday. Like the league cup, this is also a Ligue 1 v Ligue 2 clash as Guy Lacombe takes his Rennes side to the capital to play their Breton rivals Guingamp. Naturally, Rennes will go in as favourites, but Guingamp dumped European challengers Toulouse out in the semi-finals and, with it being a derby, you're duty bound to use such clichés like 'form goes out of the window'. Moreover, Lacombe was in charge at Guingamp for many years where he brought through such luminaries as Florent Malouda and every Norwegian referee's favourite, Didier Drogba.
Rennes are without international striker Jimmy Briand through injury and influential midfielder Kader Mangane through suspension, picked up when just about hacking off the leg of Valenciennes midfielder Jonathan Lacourt. Moussa Sow will lead the line in Briand's absence and he's been pretty effective in that role recently. Guingamp are not without their stars, most notably two-time French Cup runner-up Wilson Oruma. He played in and lost twice during his spell with Marseilles. "It's 70-30 in their favour" he said during the build-up, "but we'll give it everything as 30% isn't bad". That's the spirit.
Rennes are without international striker Jimmy Briand through injury and influential midfielder Kader Mangane through suspension, picked up when just about hacking off the leg of Valenciennes midfielder Jonathan Lacourt. Moussa Sow will lead the line in Briand's absence and he's been pretty effective in that role recently. Guingamp are not without their stars, most notably two-time French Cup runner-up Wilson Oruma. He played in and lost twice during his spell with Marseilles. "It's 70-30 in their favour" he said during the build-up, "but we'll give it everything as 30% isn't bad". That's the spirit.
Wednesday, 28 January 2009
Just the one upset in France
Strong winds lashed France all weekend, but the football largely remained unaffected. Just one Ligue 1 club was blown off course by lower league opposition with Caen losing away at Boulogne by three goals to one. Boulogne's reward is a home tie against high-flying Toulouse who disposed of amateurs Schirrein 8-0 as Soren Larsen bagged four for himself. Lyon also beat amateur opposition in their round-of-64 clash, sticking six past Concarneau. They move on to play Marseille tonight in the round-of-32.
Le Mans needed extra time to see off Ligue 1 bottom club Le Havre in one of the all-top-flight clashes. Jimmy Briand's double for Rennes disposed of the terminally inconsistent St Etienne and Monaco won the derby against Nice by a single goal in the others.
Lorient needed extra time against Tours, but the other Ligue 1 clubs against lower league opposition had less trouble. PSG stuck three away in Ajaccio against GFCO and Grenoble won 3-1 away at Grande-Synthe. Three was also the magic number for Lille on the northern coast at Dunkerque.
Sedan and Vitré both needed penalties to get through their ties. It took eleven penalties for Sedan to beat Romorantin, but Vitré went to 9-8 against Créteil.
The other lower league sides to get through are Guingamp, 2-0 winners over Brest, AC Ajaccio who beat Vannes 2-0 and Dijon who were comfortable 4-1 winners over Villefranche.
The round-of-16 draw has seen all bar one of those lower league clubs at home, with the Sedan v Vitré clash ensuring there'll be at least one non-Ligue 1 side in the last eight.
The draw:
Rennes v Lorient
Lille v Marseille/Lyon
Boulogne v Toulouse
AC Ajaccio v Monaco
Guingamp v Le Mans
Dijon v Grenoble
Rodez v PSG
Sedan v Vitré
Shocks look improbable, though Monaco's trip to Corsica won't be plain sailing and Guingamp might fancy their chances against Le Mans, but the other Ligue 1 sides all look very heavy favourites.
A late edit:
Karim Benzema's early goal was enough to see off Marseille tonight, the first time Lyon have beaten OM in the cup since 1973. It's Benzema's first goal of 2009 and it came in the second minute of the match off César Delgado's cross. With half an hour remaining, Adbul Kedar Keita picked up a second booking in a bad tempered game, leaving Lyon down a man, but Marseille couldn't take advantage, though Hugo Lloris saved well from ex-Lyon forward Sylvain Wiltord late on. The reigning champions move on to face Lille in the next round.
Le Mans needed extra time to see off Ligue 1 bottom club Le Havre in one of the all-top-flight clashes. Jimmy Briand's double for Rennes disposed of the terminally inconsistent St Etienne and Monaco won the derby against Nice by a single goal in the others.
Lorient needed extra time against Tours, but the other Ligue 1 clubs against lower league opposition had less trouble. PSG stuck three away in Ajaccio against GFCO and Grenoble won 3-1 away at Grande-Synthe. Three was also the magic number for Lille on the northern coast at Dunkerque.
Sedan and Vitré both needed penalties to get through their ties. It took eleven penalties for Sedan to beat Romorantin, but Vitré went to 9-8 against Créteil.
The other lower league sides to get through are Guingamp, 2-0 winners over Brest, AC Ajaccio who beat Vannes 2-0 and Dijon who were comfortable 4-1 winners over Villefranche.
The round-of-16 draw has seen all bar one of those lower league clubs at home, with the Sedan v Vitré clash ensuring there'll be at least one non-Ligue 1 side in the last eight.
The draw:
Rennes v Lorient
Lille v Marseille/Lyon
Boulogne v Toulouse
AC Ajaccio v Monaco
Guingamp v Le Mans
Dijon v Grenoble
Rodez v PSG
Sedan v Vitré
Shocks look improbable, though Monaco's trip to Corsica won't be plain sailing and Guingamp might fancy their chances against Le Mans, but the other Ligue 1 sides all look very heavy favourites.
A late edit:
Karim Benzema's early goal was enough to see off Marseille tonight, the first time Lyon have beaten OM in the cup since 1973. It's Benzema's first goal of 2009 and it came in the second minute of the match off César Delgado's cross. With half an hour remaining, Adbul Kedar Keita picked up a second booking in a bad tempered game, leaving Lyon down a man, but Marseille couldn't take advantage, though Hugo Lloris saved well from ex-Lyon forward Sylvain Wiltord late on. The reigning champions move on to face Lille in the next round.
Thursday, 22 January 2009
Coupe de France
No Ligue 1 action this week as it's the last 32 stage of the French Cup. Unlike the league, this isn't a competition Lyon have dominated of late, though they are the reigning champions. In fact, their fixture backlog meant that their round-of-64 clash with Concarneau takes place this week with the winners - Lyon, you would think - at home to Marseille.
One game has taken place already, Guingamp beating Brest 2-0 after extra time on Tuesday, and there are two games on Friday; Ligue 1 Lille are at Dunkerque and Vannes take the trip to Corsica to face AC Ajaccio. GFCO Ajaccio are also at home as they welcome PSG to the island. All-Ligue 1 ties are thin on the ground - there are three in total. On Saturday Rennes host struggling St Etienne. Rennes are doing well, but may see the cup as a better way into Europe come season's end. St Etienne need to stop shooting themselves in the foot. Le Havre host Le Mans on Sunday and it's difficult to see them getting any change out of that one. Also on Sunday, Monaco face Nice in something of a local derby. Nice are playing nicely and scoring plenty of goals while Monaco aren't.
Upsets look unlikely. Tours may be your best bet as they face inconsistent Lorient and Boulogne, second in Ligue 2, are at home to Caen.
The full draw:
Guingamp 2-0 Brest (aet. Played Tuesday)
Friday:
AC Ajaccio v Vannes
Dunkerque v Lille
Saturday:
Schirrhein v Toulouse
Dijon v Villefranche-sur-Saône
Lorient v Tours FC
Boulogne v Caen
ESTAC v Rodez
Vitre v Créteil
Romorantin v Sedan
Rennes v St Etienne
Concarneau v Lyon (round of 64. Winner to play Marseille)
Sunday:
Le Havre v Le Mans
Grande-Synthe v Grenoble
GFCO Ajaccio v PSG
Monaco v Nice
One game has taken place already, Guingamp beating Brest 2-0 after extra time on Tuesday, and there are two games on Friday; Ligue 1 Lille are at Dunkerque and Vannes take the trip to Corsica to face AC Ajaccio. GFCO Ajaccio are also at home as they welcome PSG to the island. All-Ligue 1 ties are thin on the ground - there are three in total. On Saturday Rennes host struggling St Etienne. Rennes are doing well, but may see the cup as a better way into Europe come season's end. St Etienne need to stop shooting themselves in the foot. Le Havre host Le Mans on Sunday and it's difficult to see them getting any change out of that one. Also on Sunday, Monaco face Nice in something of a local derby. Nice are playing nicely and scoring plenty of goals while Monaco aren't.
Upsets look unlikely. Tours may be your best bet as they face inconsistent Lorient and Boulogne, second in Ligue 2, are at home to Caen.
The full draw:
Guingamp 2-0 Brest (aet. Played Tuesday)
Friday:
AC Ajaccio v Vannes
Dunkerque v Lille
Saturday:
Schirrhein v Toulouse
Dijon v Villefranche-sur-Saône
Lorient v Tours FC
Boulogne v Caen
ESTAC v Rodez
Vitre v Créteil
Romorantin v Sedan
Rennes v St Etienne
Concarneau v Lyon (round of 64. Winner to play Marseille)
Sunday:
Le Havre v Le Mans
Grande-Synthe v Grenoble
GFCO Ajaccio v PSG
Monaco v Nice
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