Ligue 1 Discussion ** SPOILERS ** [Archive] - Page 3

deviant

22-08-2010, 12:49 PM

Reports say Gourcuff told Triaud he wants to come to Lyon to play with his friends Lloris and Toulalan.

Aulas will sell Bastos, no.......rip off Madrid for the third time to fund the move.
lol We're arent paying more than 10-12 million for Bastos and you can have the quality of Drenthe :o :D I'd definitely recommend a move for Gourcuff you are again lacking in firepower up front it was a pretty disappointing performance once again by Lyon.

TheLionLyon

22-08-2010, 03:27 PM

lol We're arent paying more than 10-12 million for Bastos and you can have the quality of Drenthe :o :D I'd definitely recommend a move for Gourcuff you are again lacking in firepower up front it was a pretty disappointing performance once again by Lyon.

You do know that Lisandro, the club's leading goalscorer from last year, has been injured for the past month now, right?

Anyway, the club issued a press release as soon as the news came out about Gourcuff saying the club doesn't expect an offer from Madrid for Bastos. I think the guys up top are hoping for Bastos to come out and ask for the move.

And 10 to 12 million for Bastos. :o You do know that Aulas sold you a DM (a DM!) for €26 million that's now riding the bench and is about to be sold and a striker for €35 million last season whose value is half that amount at this exact moment. It can re-increase, though.

Murkurial

22-08-2010, 07:09 PM

Just turned on the PSG/Bordeaux match and notice that Gourcuff isn't starting, and now the talks with management about leaving for Lyon? Would be a great move for Lyon but isn't a move from Bordeaux to Lyon akin to making a move from Le Arse to Spurs?

Anyone else watching this game btw?

deviant

22-08-2010, 07:23 PM

You do know that Lisandro, the club's leading goalscorer from last year, has been injured for the past month now, right?

Anyway, the club issued a press release as soon as the news came out about Gourcuff saying the club doesn't expect an offer from Madrid for Bastos. I think the guys up top are hoping for Bastos to come out and ask for the move.

And 10 to 12 million for Bastos. :o You do know that Aulas sold you a DM (a DM!) for €26 million that's now riding the bench and is about to be sold and a striker for €35 million last season whose value is half that amount at this exact moment. It can re-increase, though.
Mahamadou Diarra is one the best DM's in the world when healthy he helped deliver us a title and a couple to Lyon if I recall, hes not riding the bench hes injured and hes going to be sold for his age and a contract extension probably not in our best interest (injury prone) now. Benzema will blossom dont you worry about that Mourinho will make him mentally tough which is what he has been lacking lately. I dont get what your getting at but if you think you've ripped us off I think you are wrong. Mahamadou scored against Mallorca to give us the title I would have spent double knowing that would be the end result.

Murkurial

22-08-2010, 08:15 PM

Jussiê gets hauled down in the box, and instead of getting the pen, he gets booked for diving. This ref sucks.

EDIT: Gourcuff warming up.

EDIT 2: Diarra with the headed goal. PSG 0 - 1 Bordeaux. Coupet was nowhere to be found on that cross.

EDIT 3: Hoarau levels things. Game just got good all of a sudden. Gourcuff is on now as well.

EDIT 4: Ciani wins it for Bordeaux from a header with something like 10 seconds remaining in added time. 2-1 Bordeaux to end it.

TheLionLyon

22-08-2010, 09:31 PM

Mahamadou Diarra is one the best DM's in the world when healthy he helped deliver us a title and a couple to Lyon if I recall, hes not riding the bench hes injured and hes going to be sold for his age and a contract extension probably not in our best interest (injury prone) now. Benzema will blossom dont you worry about that Mourinho will make him mentally tough which is what he has been lacking lately. I dont get what your getting at but if you think you've ripped us off I think you are wrong. Mahamadou scored against Mallorca to give us the title I would have spent double knowing that would be the end result.

I never said he wasn't. My point is that when he was sold to Madrid, he was nowhere near worth 26 million and Madrid were the only club willing to meet Aulas's unrealistic expectations. To put it simpler, let's say Aulas sold Madrid a Bugatti Veyron, which base price is $1.7 million, for $10 million. The Veyron is amazing and runs exceptionally well for Madrid. Problem is you paid 8.3 million more than the base price, hence rip off.

Jussiê gets hauled down in the box, and instead of getting the pen, he gets booked for diving. This ref sucks.

EDIT: Gourcuff warming up.

EDIT 2: Diarra with the headed goal. PSG 0 - 1 Bordeaux. Coupet was nowhere to be found on that cross.

EDIT 3: Hoarau levels things. Game just got good all of a sudden. Gourcuff is on now as well.

EDIT 4: Ciani wins it for Bordeaux from a header with something like 10 seconds remaining in added time. 2-1 Bordeaux to end it.

Great match. Gautier is hardly lenient and he showed it today by handing out all those silly cards to Bordeaux players. Thought he was out to get them.

Murkurial

22-08-2010, 10:04 PM

Great match. Gautier is hardly lenient and he showed it today by handing out all those silly cards to Bordeaux players. Thought he was out to get them.

Yeah, he was hittin' Bordeaux up with some silly fouls. And the yellow on Jussiê was ridiculous.

What do you make of Gourcuff maybe moving to your team though?

TheLionLyon

22-08-2010, 10:49 PM

Yeah, he was hittin' Bordeaux up with some silly fouls. And the yellow on Jussiê was ridiculous.

What do you make of Gourcuff maybe moving to your team though?

Well, according to the report, he wants to go there to be with his friends Lloris and Toulalan. Meh. There was no report of him being injured or anything and I doubt Tigana dropped him over preference for Jussie.

It is up to Aulas. I would love him, but at the expense of a dominate left-footed player on the wing in Bastos.........I don't know. I don't know how recruiting Gourcuff will affect up-and-coming players like Pjanic and Grenier. It is up to Aulas to spend the money and if he is recruited, it is up to Puel find a way to accommodate both Pjanic and Gourcuff. Pjanic started on the wing yesterday afternoon, so without getting my hopes up, I see something like this:

-------Gonalons--Makoun/Kallstrom--------
---Briand-------Gourcuff--------Pjanic-----
---------------Lisandro--------------------

Also, could be a good move for him because Lyon is a very accepting club. He can spend two (or three) years in Lyon and then make a big money move to a United, Barcelona, or Madrid before or after Euro 2012 and he'll only be 26, just entering his prime. However, if he struggles to adapt, then those issues Ribery and Evra were throwing around might possibly be true.

deviant

23-08-2010, 07:03 AM

TheLionLyon

23-08-2010, 07:06 AM

Lyon set to make a last-ditch attempt to sign Robinho from Manchester City

Read more: http://www.dailymail.co.uk/sport/football/article-1304691/Lyon-make-late-attempt-Manchester-Citys-Robinho.html?ito=feeds-newsxml#ixzz0xPU56Yyf

Yeah, this was discussed on the club's forum before the Gourcuff news broke and received a big fat no. Team has already dealt with Ben Arfa. As great as he is, the club doesn't need another liability. Plus, Aulas prefers Ganso, anyway. :D

Murkurial

23-08-2010, 07:10 AM

^

Is there any way for you guys to fund a Gourcuff transfer and keep Bastos as well? That would be quite the squad (when Lisandro returns).

TheLionLyon

23-08-2010, 07:15 AM

^

Is there any way for you guys to fund a Gourcuff transfer and keep Bastos as well? That would be quite the squad (when Lisandro returns).

I doubt it. Possible sells include Kallstrom and Makoun, but clubs are, according to the papers, offering small sums for them. Best case scenario was to sell Gomis for 14 million to Fener. The move would of killed two birds with one stone. Selling Gomis gives the club money to buy Gourcuff and also gives the youngster Yannis Tafer a chance. Gomis didn't want to leave though.

If Aulas can purchase Gourcuff for 20 million than maybe, but anything more, probably not.

fcb_sandy05

23-08-2010, 09:39 PM

http://www.francefootball.fr/FF/breves2010/20100823_231331_gourcuff-accord-lyon-bordeaux.html

Gourcuff deal is official. Lyon front line looks deadly but what happens to Pjanic?

TheLionLyon

23-08-2010, 10:09 PM

http://www.francefootball.fr/FF/breves2010/20100823_231331_gourcuff-accord-lyon-bordeaux.html

Gourcuff deal is official. Lyon front line looks deadly but what happens to Pjanic?

-------Gonalons--Makoun/Kallstrom--------
---Briand-------Gourcuff--------Pjanic-----
---------------Lisandro--------------------

or:

---------------Gonalons--------------
------Gourcuff----------Pjanic--------
--Briand-----------------------Bastos
---------------Lisandro---------------

Last one is scary :eek: and the one I am hoping for. Pjanic will have to possibly play box-to-box though.

deviant

23-08-2010, 10:52 PM

Nice so Gourcuff is signed hope to see him in the CL and with a better team. Should be a show...

Murkurial

24-08-2010, 12:19 AM

Lion you lucky bastard. :D

Gourcuff to help Lyon slap the snot out of Madrid in the Round of 16 again?

Btw, Bastos doesn't have to be moved to fund this? That would be even better for you guys.

EDIT: Not implying that selling Bastos would be better.

Whoah10115

24-08-2010, 12:25 AM

What about Delgado?

TheLionLyon

24-08-2010, 12:29 AM

What about Delgado?

Delgado is a substitute who occasionally starts for preferential reasons or because of injury. He is happy with that role and he makes good money.

drac78

24-08-2010, 02:15 PM

Great signing for Lyon, maybe they will actually play good football now :p

deviant

24-08-2010, 02:24 PM

arxl

24-08-2010, 02:25 PM

http://sports.yahoo.com/soccer/news?slug=ap-marseille-remy

Remy can play! Great news for the team and him, glad thats over.

*And what happens with Hatem now? His number was given to Gignac, but I don't think I saw that Hatem got transferred anywhere...so is he just hanging out right now being a bitch? From what I remembered reading Newcastle didn't even bid for him, they just offered a loan to buy option thing OM didn't want to do.

Dogme

03-09-2010, 12:56 PM

At 6PM GMT tonight Marseille are playing away to AC Ajaccio of Ligue 2 in a friendly.

I've found one stream for it, but have no idea if it'll work nearer the time. If not, then hopefully someone can cap it.

http://www.myp2p.eu/broadcast.php?matchid=86612&part=sports

Dogme

14-09-2010, 08:21 AM

Does anyone know where i can get the Marseille v Monaco match?

TheLionLyon

14-09-2010, 05:29 PM

Try here (http://www.soccers.fr/index.php?showtopic=147610). Language is in French, though. Soccers is the best for french football and rugby content.

Dogme

14-09-2010, 06:29 PM

*Edit* I managed to get the match from that link you provided after all :D Thank you :D

Round

21-09-2010, 03:28 PM

St Etienne make a very good start, I would say that the big clubs like Marseille and Lyon, particularly, are in trouble, but I am certain that all will Tightened in the next matchday.

drac78

27-09-2010, 05:21 PM

Lyon in Ligue 2 next season? :D ...and I thought Marseille were supposed to be in crisis and Lyon have a bright future? ;)

TheLionLyon

27-09-2010, 08:44 PM

Lyon in Ligue 2 next season? :D ...and I thought Marseille were supposed to be in crisis and Lyon have a bright future? ;)

Yeah, I wish Lyon could have gotten last-place Arles and Sochaux in succession after starting 1-2-2 and losing to Spartak Moscow at home in the Champions League. :rolleyes: Have fun against Chelsea. :o And Lyon do have a bright future; the only liability to it at this point is Puel and his tactics. :mad:

Raioneru

27-09-2010, 11:01 PM

Yeah, I wish Lyon could have gotten last-place Arles and Sochaux in succession after starting 1-2-2 and losing to Spartak Moscow at home in the Champions League. :rolleyes: Have fun against Chelsea. :o And Lyon do have a bright future; the only liability to it at this point is Puel and his tactics. :mad:

PUEL BE GONE!!!
lol:D

Murkurial

17-10-2010, 07:06 PM

Anyone watching the match? Lyon just went up 1-0 thanks to a strike from Lopez from outside the box. In the 5th minute now.

TheLionLyon

17-10-2010, 09:11 PM

Anyone watching the match? Lyon just went up 1-0 thanks to a strike from Lopez from outside the box. In the 5th minute now.

Best I've seen the team play in awhile. I feel really bad for Pjanic, though. Many are saying him and Gourcuff can't play together. If Blanc can play Nasri and Gourcuff together with l'equipe, then Puel can do it with Lyon. Wait......What?! :confused: Why am I comparing Puel to Blanc? :o

Raioneru

17-10-2010, 09:13 PM

Best I've seen the team play in awhile. I feel really bad for Pjanic, though. Many are saying him and Gourcuff can't play together. If Blanc can play Nasri and Gourcuff together with l'equipe, then Puel can do it with Lyon. Wait......What?! :confused: Why am I comparing Puel to Blanc? :o

but the real question would be, is pjanic comparable to nasri?
thats the thing, and my answer is : I don't think so.
Pjanic and gourcuff are similar, and I'm not sure pjanic is tough enough to play on the wing, roam from left to right etc...
at the same time, you know more about pjanic than I do.

TheLionLyon

17-10-2010, 11:34 PM

but the real question would be, is pjanic comparable to nasri?
thats the thing, and my answer is : I don't think so.
Pjanic and gourcuff are similar, and I'm not sure pjanic is tough enough to play on the wing, roam from left to right etc...
at the same time, you know more about pjanic than I do.

Pjanic played on the wing several times before Gourcuff arrived. I think it was out of necessity though because Ederson often got the position in the middle and wingers were limited until the arrival of Briand and the emergence of Pied. I would honestly prefer to see Pjanic play in the spot next to the DM in the 4-2-3-1. That is often reserved for the box-to-box guy, in this case Kallstrom and Makoun, but I doubt Puel will consider that due to his conservative approach. Anyway, if everything remains the same, Pjanic will likely be sold at the end of the season.

deviant

25-10-2010, 06:42 AM

:D ATTENTION REMY very happy to play for Marseille

Round

01-11-2010, 01:58 PM

For my part, Lyon make a very difficult start to the season, but it seems that the positive momentum is back and more, this elimination in the League Cup, will allow them to concentrate on the Champions League.

When in Brest or even St-Etienne, I am pleasantly surprised by their position in the league. However, the task is arduous for Arles-Avignon.

TheLionLyon

14-01-2011, 04:24 PM

Ain't been here in awhile. League starts back up this weekend.

deviant

19-02-2011, 12:40 AM

What a goal by Briand........it was better than Rooney's IMO.

v/xHH-8RH--Jw

Bianconer8

27-02-2011, 04:58 PM

Kevin Mirallas Vs Panathinaikos (Olympiakos 2x1 Panathinaikos)
By Roberto Rivelino (http://translate.google.pt/translate?u=http://bianconer8.blogspot.com/&sl=pt&tl=en&hl=&ie=UTF-8)

http://img651.imageshack.us/img651/198/kevinmirallas.jpg

In yet another epic confrontation between the two major from Athens, Olympiakos came out on top and they can order the stripes of champions.
A very emotional game, both inside and outside the camp, where several (ex)stars could have shone, I'm talking about players like Djibril Cisse, Ibagaza, Gilberto Silva, Govou, but who has shone more was... the young Belgian, Kevin Mirallas.
When he began to "appear" to football, in Lille, everything said about him was wonderful (which, of all, a little, can be compared to some that have been done to Hazard), but, however, and over the time, Mirallas began to disappear and was transferred to Saint-Ettiene in 2008, that loaned him to Olympiakos ... and they are in eager to welcome him back, given the developments in the Greek league.
The playing on the "loose" role and behind the striker (Djebbour), Mirallas did not have the easy life and were numerous the times that he was fouled, receiving special attention from the veteran Gilberto Silva, the defensive midfielder of "Pana".
His intelligence and reaction-speed allowed him to scored the first goal of the meeting, a free-kick that surprised everyone, and that was attended, decisively, by Ibagaza.
Mirallas is to conquer Greece with his virtuosity and with his fantastic dribbles, which are a feast for any viewer, using either elastic, or the "chop."
Already leading 10 goals in 21 games in Super League (Greek League) and certainly the major clubs from the Old World are already looking into it. A player to watch!

Date of Birth: 10/05/1987
Height: 182cm
Weight: 75kg
Position: Winger (both wings) / Second Striker

Read in French, Spanish and Portuguese. (www.bianconer8.blogspot.com)

Again, Google Translator, pissing me off.

jimmy

05-03-2011, 08:22 PM

TheLionLyon

06-03-2011, 04:11 AM

im gonna check out some ligue 1 highlights next time i see some up, can someone please explain what's up with so little goals goin in week in week out, either last week or one before was an exception to this but for long time i've noticed very little goals, is it through the defending or (lack of) striking? i'm guessing obviously both but a rational explanation from a follower of the league would be nice :) todays first 6 games saw a grand total of 3 goals (1 a last minute goal) and the auxerre vs.psg game got just over 25mins left and it's scoreless......

Union referees were suspended for this match day and likely will for next week if something isn't sorted out. Has more to do with money, but the refs are saying they are being disrespected. They were going to purposely delay the weekend matches by 15 minutes and the FFF wasn't having that.

For this week, I speculate that the low amount of goals was probably due to teams playing it safe because of the amateur refs that were brought in to replace the pros. Clubs are used to the professionals referees and know their tendencies. They probably expected the amateurs to be unpredictable.

Dynamite Dutch

21-05-2011, 11:13 AM

So if I'm not mistaken Lille can take the title today with a draw or a win, correct??

Round

23-05-2011, 02:09 PM

Lille is finally champion and it deserved to make the season. it is only their third league title in France. Now it's a new page of the club, which will be written.

flier5

26-08-2011, 05:02 PM

Anyone need a CB? PSG? :)

Raioneru

26-08-2011, 05:05 PM

Anyone need a CB? PSG? :)

http://imageftw.com/uploads/20110814/wenger%20troll%20face%2001.jpg

flier5

26-08-2011, 09:20 PM

Our product is very experienced :)

TheLionLyon

29-08-2011, 05:43 AM

Marseille off to another bad start. League's too competitive now with Lyon, Lille, PSG, and Rennes now leading the top and mid-table teams like Toulouse, Saint-Etienne, Lorient, Sochaux, Montpellier etc., not being pushovers, so rebounding easily like last season will be difficult.

Lisandro looks like he will be out for awhile after hurting his ankle. Hopefully, he can be back for the match against PSG in early October. League will be extremely competitive and entertaining this season and if our clubs play well in Europe (big IF), we might be able to pass Italy in the UEFA coefficient table.

flier5

29-08-2011, 06:52 PM

TheLionLyon

29-08-2011, 11:17 PM

You think Squillaci can still do a job in Ligue Un? back to Lyon perhaps?

Of course. Not at Lyon, though. He could fit in well at Saint-Etienne or another mid-table side.

flier5

29-08-2011, 11:24 PM

Of course. Not at Lyon, though. He could fit in well at Saint-Etienne or another mid-table side.

As a starter, sure not at Lyon. But i was thinking PSG have enough money that they can afford 3 backups lol. But as a starter at mid-table team makes sense.

TheLionLyon

30-08-2011, 05:28 PM

As a starter, sure not at Lyon. But i was thinking PSG have enough money that they can afford 3 backups lol. But as a starter at mid-table team makes sense.

They do, but French clubs are being told to limit there wage bills (obviously PSG are now not one of those clubs), so I don't see him going to a big five club like Lyon, PSG, Marseille, Rennes, or Lille unless he took a significant pay cut to be a backup. I think he'd take a pay cut to be a starter at a mid-table club, though.

Murkurial

31-08-2011, 05:47 PM

So Pjanic helps Lyon beat Montpellier and then throws up the peace sign, eh?

Four-year Roma deal for Pjanic (http://www.skysports.com/story/0,19528,12875_7140638,00.html)
Bosnia international moves to Italy in €10m transfer

Have there been rumblings of a move or is this something of a surprise?

jorquera

31-08-2011, 06:53 PM

So Pjanic helps Lyon beat Montpellier and then throws up the peace sign, eh?

Have there been rumblings of a move or is this something of a surprise?

Surprise move definitely from my side (Roma's that is). I think it was first reported yesterday or the day before that. It said that Lyon offered him to us for 11€ mil.

fcb_sandy05

31-08-2011, 07:10 PM

Whoah10115

31-08-2011, 07:21 PM

Yeah I heard the story yesterday for the first time. They apparently offered him to a number of clubs including Arsenal.

But it's not really a surprise that he's moving on after they (stupidly imo) signed Gourcuff last year.

Stupid move, I agree...especially because they didn't really utilize them both, together. This guy is soooooooooo good man. Futuro craque and I mean true, amongst the best in the world kind.

west501

31-08-2011, 08:24 PM

TheLionLyon

02-09-2011, 05:58 AM

I'm liking where PSG is going this season with Pastore and now Lugano. A real Rioplatense feel coming to La Siene. ;)
I will try to watch them closely but may not always be able to do so. While I did watch Pastore's debut as a sub I missed his debut as a starter on the weekend. And I guess I missed a lot as he got a few assists.

Etienne Capoue actually marked him pretty well in the match. Pastore said after the match that he needs to adapt to the physicality of the league.

TheLionLyon

02-09-2011, 06:01 AM

Yeah I heard the story yesterday for the first time. They apparently offered him to a number of clubs including Arsenal.

But it's not really a surprise that he's moving on after they (stupidly imo) signed Gourcuff last year.

Aulas had to either get rid of one or the other (Gourcuff or Pjanic that is). No one was probably willing to meet Aulas's valuation of Gourcuff, not to mention the media probably ridiculing him if he did sell Gourcuff after one season, so Pjanic had to go.

Pjanic's departure allows Clement Grenier to finally become a regular in the team. Grenier will be just as good as Pjanic and his wages will be half of what Pjanic was making.

indomitable_lion

07-09-2011, 03:23 AM

^^ Did he have to get rid of one of them?

I thought the Real Madrid goal might have kept him around.

v/60o2IXLK0Zg

TheLionLyon

11-09-2011, 03:30 AM

^^ Did he have to get rid of one of them?

I thought the Real Madrid goal might have kept him around.

v/60o2IXLK0Zg

Pretty much. Though the club isn't struggling financially, Lyon are in transition after spending all of that money in 2009 and not backing it up with titles. Not to mention since the club fired Puel before his contract ended, the team has to pay him the money for those years left, similar to Ancelotti at Chelsea. Aulas has already said that, for the next two or three seasons, the team will revert back to its previous strategy and invest in young players, nurture and develop them, give them league and European football, and then sell them for inflated fees. He didn't actually say the last part, but that is the most obvious conclusion to the strategy.

TheLionLyon

18-09-2011, 02:06 AM

Lyon really have an opportunity to bury Marseille tomorrow. Even a draw would be devastating for Marseille, especially if PSG and Rennes win tomorrow. Won't be able to catch the match tough. :(

LFP screwed Marseille with the schedule this year. In the first six games, they faced Sochaux, Lille, Lyon, and Rennes.

andu

27-11-2011, 05:38 PM

Not sure what to expect from the French Derby tonight, both Marseille and PSG have been underwhelming as of recent. I hope it will be a good game. So far watching Lille, Toulouse or Montpellier has been more entertaining.

andu

29-12-2011, 03:09 PM

From FrenchFootballWeekly:

The A-Z of Ligue 1: http://frenchfootballweekly.com/2011/12/29/the-a-z-of-ligue-1/

And the latest podcast: http://frenchfootballweekly.com/2011/12/28/episode-39-gignac-stuffed-at-christmas/

Team of the season so far: http://frenchfootballweekly.com/2011/12/30/ligue-1-team-of-the-season-so-far/#more-3288

andu

03-01-2012, 04:32 PM

Best of 2011 in four episodes:

http://frenchfootballweekly.com/2011/12/31/ligue-1-moments-of-2011-part-1/
http://frenchfootballweekly.com/2011/12/31/ligue-1-the-best-of-2011-part-2/
http://frenchfootballweekly.com/2011/12/31/ligue-1-the-best-of-2011-part-3/
http://frenchfootballweekly.com/2011/12/31/ligue-1-the-best-of-2011-part-4/

andu

03-03-2012, 10:42 PM

Crazy, crazy results this weekend.

Bottom table Nancy beat Lyon.
Bottom table Nice beat Bordeaux, the best team in 2012 so far.
Bottom table Auxerre snatch a point from Lille.
Dijon snatch a point from #1 spot Montpellier.
Toulouse beat Marseille at the Velodrome.
Evian beat St. Etienne away.

The only normal result today was the draw between Sochaux and Valenciennes. Can't wait for the highlights. PSG plays Ajaccio and can go #1 again if they win, but I wouldn't be 100% sure they can do it; Ajaccio played some great matches recently. This is turning into a great, vintage season.

andu

03-03-2012, 11:19 PM

For those of you who liked P.E. Aubameyang at the African Cup of Nations, check out this screamer (http://www.101greatgoals.com/gvideos/toulouse-0-st-etienne-1/) that he scored for Saint-Etienne just after coming back, and this hattrick (http://www.101greatgoals.com/gvideos/st-etienne4-lorient-2/) that he scored more recently. A star in the making.

andu

16-03-2012, 04:40 PM

Apparently Portugal can overcome France in the UEFA coefficient table, depending on how Marseille does compared to Sporting and Benfica from now on...

japoelflaco

03-05-2012, 06:19 AM

I have to be honest, I don't follow the French League, but what happened to Auxerre, a couple of seasons they were playing the UCL and now they are last? :confused:
BTW I like their jerseys. :)

TheLionLyon

04-05-2012, 01:14 AM

I have to be honest, I don't follow the French League, but what happened to Auxerre, a couple of seasons they were playing the UCL and now they are last? :confused:
BTW I like their jerseys. :)

There is extreme parity in French football. I'd say more than the four leagues ahead of them. Monaco was in the CL final a few years ago and they are now in Ligue 2. Nantes was playing CL football and regulars in Ligue 1 and they are in Ligue 2 as well. Clubs like Le Mans, Lens, Metz, and Le Havre all have played in Ligue 1 the past couple of years and have the budgets to succeed in the division. However, at least one of them will be playing in the third division next year.

It is almost impossible for mid-tier French clubs like Auxerre to maintain success simply because they can't hold onto their players unlike say Lyon, Marseille, and most recently Paris Saint-Germain. Lille is a perfect example. They won the league and had a nice core of players and probably could of started a consistent domestic and European run, but after their one-year success, the club had no choice but to sell some of them; some for money (Sow) and others because the players wanted a change (Gervinho and Cabaye). This off-season, Lille will lose Hazard and Debuchy, which will see the club's championship squad completely dismantled in just two seasons.

Montpellier has a chance to win the title this season. This summer, more than likely, all of their key players will be sold and they will go through the same thing that Lille is experiencing. This is another reason why our Champions League co-efficient is pathetic. Our clubs don't get a chance to showcase its players once they qualify for the Champions League because they will be sold prior to the competition

End rant.