I am utterly convinced that Yohann Gourcuff is the star of tomorrow and that Milan made a huge mistake by letting him go. Four goals and two assists in three games in Le Championnat for the French midfielder is already an impressive tally and there are no signs of him slowing down. Somewhat depending on his World Cup 2010 I wouldn’t be surprised to see him wearing the colors of Chelsea or Man United next year…speaking of which, the Champions League groups were drawn on Thursday with some very interesting matches for French clubs.
Lyon had the most luck with Group C because they are in my opinion superior to La Viola, and Debrecen should get the Anderlecht treatment (8-1 on aggregate this week with a superb Lisandro Lopez hat trick courtesy of the Belgians’ defence or lack thereof). I even predict them finishing with as many points as Liverpool.
Bordeaux shouldn’t have any trouble with Haifa and should cause problems for a weakened Bayern side (until Robben gels with Ribery?). As for the new Juventus, it is a bit of an enigma but it would be nice to see them play a meaningful role in Europe again. As for Marseille, getting out of group stage will not be an easy task since they will face the new Galacticos, their old nemesis from the 90s Milan and Zurich. But the pressure will be on Real and Milan.
Call it delusion or naiveté but I believe all three French teams will make it to the last 16 judged by the impressive debut by Lyon and Bordeaux and the return of playmaker Lucho Gonzalez (ARG) in OM’s midfield. I would kill to see the Real tie at Stade Velodrome…
An interesting rumor this week sees the possible loan of LA Galaxy striker London Donovan (USA) to PSG in the winter. That would be a very interesting experiment following his unconvincing loan to Bayern, especially because the competition with Guillaume Hoareau (FRA) and Mevut Erding (TUR) would be challenging at best.
As for Ligue 1 this will be a formidable weekend with the Sunday clash between the Champion and Marseille:
Auxerre got spanked by Lyon at home and have yet to score a goal!!! Meanwhile newly promoted Boulogne is riding high having won away at troubled St Etienne.
Boulogne – Auxerre 2 - 0
Lens is a pleasant surprise and they are now getting the points that will keep them away from the relegation zone come springtime. They might be able to resist the assaults of Rennes, the most serious to my big four (Bordeaux – Lyon – Marseille – PSG)
Lens – Rennes 1 - 1
Those teams of the West both disappointed and I see Le Mans go through a slump especially because Lorient tends to do well at home.
Lorient – Le Mans 1 - 0
Nice got atomized by a Lyon on fire in Week 3 and they will retaliate against a Montpellier side who gained its first lucky win against Sochaux . Expect French international Loic Remy to score. Twice.
Nice – Montpellier 2 – 1
One thing for sure is that one of those teams (if not both) will take their first point this Saturday. French institution St Etienne welcomed yet another gaucho striker Gonzalo Bergessio (ARG) and he will come handy at Geoffroy Guichard.
St Etienne – Grenoble 1 - 0
As predicted Monaco rebounded well last weekend and they will now have to confirm against a troubled Sochaux side…
Sochaux – Monaco 1 - 1
Lisandro Lopez (ARG) is simply frightening and the emergence of Miralem Pjanic (BOS) in midfield announces the new Lyon a lot faster than predicted. Juninho and Benzema have already been replaced…Meanwhile Nancy surprisingly fell to Le Mans last weekend and will suffer again.
Lyon – Nancy 4 - 0
Lille rocked the Europa League yesterday with a brace from Brazilian striker Tulio De Melo but PSG is on a sort of high and they will once again do well at Le Parc.
PSG – Lille 2 - 0
Toulouse had quiet a scare in their defeat to Turkish side Trabzonspor in the Europa League but they will rebound well against Ligue 1’ worst defence Valenciennes.
Toulouse – Valenciennes 3 – 1
If Marseille is the number one pretender to the title then this is quite simply the match they are not allowed to lose. It will be physical and Bordeaux is already on top of the table but the Velodrome should carry OM to a win. If Bordeaux win then Deschamps will already find himself in a Benitez type of situation…
Marseille - Bordeaux 2 - 1
I hit 50% correct predictions last week and I’m not sure I will do better this weekend.
Finally Raymond Domenech selected 23 players for the Romania and Serbia games in the World Cup qualifiers with very few surprises. Patrick Vieira who only played a half last week versus Bari is still being kept out, and it is rumored that Abou Diaby will start the first tie. The group actually looks like the one that could possibly go to South Africa come June albeit injured Samir Nasri and Lyon defender Jean-Alain Boumsong. Roma’s Philippe Mexes has also been left out again.
No comments:
Post a Comment