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French Ligue 1 Review [Thu Sep 22nd, 2005]
Lyon are still the solid leaders of Ligue 1 despite being slowed down by Bordeaux (1-1).
The UEFA Champions League heroes were tired and didn't play their usual glamour football. Nevertheless, Gerard Houllier made the perfect tactical choices to obtain a good away result, as the Chaban-Delmas stadium won't be very welcoming this season.
Bordeaux's coach Ricardo has proved that he had his place in Le Championnat after the big critics that came from the syndicate of the French coaches. His players celebrate his will and his charisma. Bordeaux won't play any European cup this year and can pretend to the podium.
Le Mans are the surprise of the season so far. The club coached by Frederic Hantz climbed to the second place after the Sochaux victory(2-1) at Leon-Bollee. The promoted club shows a very offensive spirit and is still invincible.
Hantz wants to maintain this dynamic: "I don't look at our rankings. We have a collective solidarity based on talented individuals." Le Mans fans hope that they can pursue their good results against a pitiful Nice destroyed at Lille (4-0).
St Etienne are not a surprise anymore. They have conceded only one goal in seven rounds and Janot has preserved his goal in the hot Geoffroy-Guichard stadium since November 2004. On Sunday they trashed a weak PSG (3-0).
"A defeat is always worrying and we deserved it. We showed too much bumptiousness" said Paris coach, Laurent Fournier. An explanation that could be insufficient for the angry PSG fans. The truth is that without their key players like Rothen or Kalou, PSG are an average team.
Toulouse are facing a serious crisis with a terrible 17th place. Erick Mombaerts keeps saying that his team is improving but actually he could be fired if he doesn't earn a win during the next two games.
A difficult task, as the Violets will play two teams also seeking revenge, Marseille and Strasbourg. It's a very surprising situation as the club, headed by ambitious president Sadran, have made amongst the brightest recruitments, with Mathieu, Santos, Abdessaki and Bergougnoux.
Two victories, a draw and already four defeats. It was too hard to handle for Didier Deschamps, who handed in his resignation to Monaco.
Following the cruel Betis disillusion in the Champions League preliminary round, he had been disawowed concerning the recruitment. After the humiliation against Rennes, the former Juventus player decided to leave the club that allowed him to start his managerial career.
Guy Lacombe could be his successor. Unlike his colleague, Boloni has saved his head with this hold-up at Louis II (0-2). He gave his confidence to some youngsters and was paid back in return, particularly by Yoann Gourcuff, a great promise for the future.
Marseille are slowly recovering their shape. The precious win against Troyes (2-1) will bring more confidence and Jean Fernandez could give up his five defenders system used to bring some stability.
Marseille's manager Pape Diouf told to L'Equipe his feelings about his team: "This victory has a particular flavour. I'm pleased with this second consecutive success. Our first period has been the best we produced this season".
The only bad point is the loss of Bojstan Cesar to injury. Troyes tasted defeat for the first time and must now concentrate themselves on the upcoming relegation battle.
Septime Meunier
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