Nelly
09-07-2006, 11:20 AM
The French Football League has launched a new initiative to increase the number of goals scored. The 'Challenge de l'offensive' ('Attacking challenge') will run separately from the traditional points system, awarding bonuses to teams who win matches by two or more goals.
Prize pot
While the system will not be used to determine league positions, there will be €20m prize money made available to teams in the two top divisions based on their performance in the challenge. By comparison, the winners of Ligue 1 receive €2.4m. Last season saw just 2.2 goals per game in the French top flight, compared with nearly three per game in Germany and more than 2.5 in England, Italy and Spain. The system has been devised under the guidance of former France coach Michel Hidalgo, awarding two points for a victory by a single goal and three for a win by two or more goals.
Another reason cited for the relative dearth of scoring is the punishing schedule that sees teams play a 38-game league season alongside two domestic cups. Consequently the League Cup will be streamlined from next season, with UEFA Champions League group stage teams entering in the last 32. Fixtures will also be brought forward to move the quarter-finals before the winter break, while the top four sides in the league will be seeded from the round of 16 onwards.
Seems like a good idea to get more atacking play and more goalscoring going on.Ligue 1 can be deadly dull at times.I still expect PSG to record 0-0 and 1-0 with amazing regularity.;)
Prize pot
While the system will not be used to determine league positions, there will be €20m prize money made available to teams in the two top divisions based on their performance in the challenge. By comparison, the winners of Ligue 1 receive €2.4m. Last season saw just 2.2 goals per game in the French top flight, compared with nearly three per game in Germany and more than 2.5 in England, Italy and Spain. The system has been devised under the guidance of former France coach Michel Hidalgo, awarding two points for a victory by a single goal and three for a win by two or more goals.
Another reason cited for the relative dearth of scoring is the punishing schedule that sees teams play a 38-game league season alongside two domestic cups. Consequently the League Cup will be streamlined from next season, with UEFA Champions League group stage teams entering in the last 32. Fixtures will also be brought forward to move the quarter-finals before the winter break, while the top four sides in the league will be seeded from the round of 16 onwards.
Seems like a good idea to get more atacking play and more goalscoring going on.Ligue 1 can be deadly dull at times.I still expect PSG to record 0-0 and 1-0 with amazing regularity.;)