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France: Lyon turn to Bordeaux after crushing Real Madrid [Fri Sep 16th, 2005]
Paris (Reuters) - French champions Olympique Lyon return to domestic duties with a visit to Girondins Bordeaux, fresh from stunning Real Madrid 3-0 in their UEFA Champions League opener.
Lyon's next challenge will be to break one of the tightest defences in Ligue 1, Bordeaux having conceded just two goals from their first six games.
"Bordeaux look very strong and it will not be easy, but we're confident," said Lyon coach Gerard Houllier.
Lyon, chasing an unprecedented fifth successive French title, have made a strong start to the season, winning five of their first six games.
The leaders have also started their European campaign in style, outclassing nine-time European champions Real on Tuesday.
The match in Bordeaux will be a special occasion for Brazilian defender Claudio Cacapa, the Lyon captain, who will make his 100th appearance in Ligue 1.
"The match against Real was great but we must not get carried away," he said. "We've still got plenty of work to do."
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Five-time French champions Bordeaux, waiting for a home win over Lyon for six years, have lost only once so far and have improved dramatically since hiring Brazilian coach Ricardo after a frustrating run last season. They lie fifth, five points behind the leaders.
"We saw again against Real that Lyon are a great team, but that does not mean we can't give them a hard time," said Bordeaux forward Lilian Laslandes.
"Anyone who wants to win a point in Bordeaux will have to fight for it."
Second-placed Paris St Germain, three points back, face a tricky trip on Sunday to St Etienne, one of three teams still undefeated after six games.
Olympique Marseille will try to confirm their recovery when they host promoted Troyes, also on Sunday.
Marseille had gone 14 league games without a win, stretching back to their poor run of form at the end of last season, when they won 1-0 at Sochaux last Sunday.
The victory lifted them off the bottom of the table.
"The season is only just starting," said Marseille coach Jean Fernandez. "We know we have a good team. We're confident."
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