 |
|
France: Unbeaten PSG enjoying life at Ligue 1 summit [Fri Aug 26th, 2005]
Paris (Reuters) - Ligue 1 leaders Paris St Germain seek to extend their unbeaten start at home to Nice on Saturday before the season takes a short break for World Cup qualifiers.
PSG, with three wins and a draw, top the standings on goal difference ahead of champions Olympique Lyon.
The Parisians have the opportunity to become outright leaders with Lyon and third-placed Racing Lens facing tough assignments at AJ Auxerre and Monaco respectively.
PSG have hit eight goals in their four games, Portugal striker Pauleta taking his personal tally to 100 in the French league in the 1-1 at Troyes last week.
"This is going to be very tight until the end of the season. Lyon, Lens and Monaco are going to be tough rivals," said PSG coach Laurent Fournier.
"So we can't afford to let points go at home. We need to take the three points on Saturday and snatch a third consecutive victory on our ground."
PSG, who will be without suspended midfielder Edouard Cisse against Nice, finished a disappointing ninth last season but have a more balanced look this time around.
"There is still a long way to go but it's easier to work hard when you are on the top of the standings," said Fournier. "I'm certain that we can still improve the level of our play. We are not at our best yet."
DEMANDING CHALLENGE
Uruguay striker Carlos Bueno could make his debut for the capital club after FIFA allowed the French football federation to register the player.
Lyon, paired with Real Madrid in the group stage of the UEFA Champions League, face a less prestigious but no less demanding challenge on Sunday when they visit Auxerre, who were thrashed 7-0 by Lens last week.
The French champions overcame strong resistance from promoted Nancy in their last match, captain Claudio Cacapa scoring the winner three minutes into stoppage time.
Lens, keen to play the role of the outsiders, should not be taken lightly by Monaco who have been below par this season and missed out on Champions League qualification in midweek.
"The season is not over because we didn't qualify for the Champions League. I would say that the season is now starting for us. The match against Lens is even more important," said Monaco goalkeeper Flavio Roma.
News headlines from around the world.