Les Rouge et Bleu frustrate Lyonnais

While not the optimal result, Les Rouge et Bleu are my very pleased with holding Lyonnais to a scoreless draw at Stade Gerland Friday evening. The result which most likely put the rest the defending champions quest for their eight successive championship while putting Paris Saint-Germain in good position to profit from their remaining matches.

For much of the first half, play was typified by gradually increasing tensions where challenges escalated like the winds of the spring. Stéphane Sessegnon led the way in many forms and his stubborn demeanor set the tone that the Parisians would not back down. After Karim Benzema missed the mark in the later part of the half, PSG was fortunate being adjudged a handball as the young strikers header attempt unquestionably struck Ceará. However while Stade Gerland screamed for just Paul Le Guen's side escaped that call and focused its attention upon air-tight defending of Lyonnais and waited for its moment to strike. As matches of this go, opportunities are the rarest of breeds and usually only present themselves once. Finally three minutes before the hour Ceará long diagonal ball set-up Guillaume Hoarau in on alone on l'OL 'keeper Hugo Lloris but his effort to the right was pushed aside and the deadlock was intact. Minutes later tension boiled over as Stéphane Sessegnon retaliated with a over done challenge of Jean-Alain Boumsong and was lucky to escape with just a yellow. L'OL controlled the majority of possession but attacking advances but fell short in the final third and the few that made it through fell victim to Mickaël Landreau's brilliant work as the match ended as a nil draw.

c'est du grand classique

Les Rouge et Bleu quest to win the championnat continues as Paul Le Guen and company venture to Stade Gerland Friday evening in the showcase match of weekend for Ligue 1.

Trailing the perennial champion a victory would catapult Paris Saint-Germain to within two points of first-place l'OM. For Lyonnais the situation is quite different. Winners of seven successive Ligue 1 championships, The droghte of March hath perced to the roote has carried forward to a stretch run with performances far below their pedigree. With six matches remaining in the campaign Claude Puel's side is not only fighting to continue its dominance in the decade but equally fall out of European competition that would have a massive financial impact.

Paul Le Guen will be without the services of Serbia maestro Mateja Kežman, Clément Chantôme and veteran defender Sammy Traoré whist Sidney Govou and César Delgado will miss for l'OL. To be successful in Lyon, PSG's attack of hometown hero Jérôme Rothen, Stéphane Sessegnon, Ludovic Giuly and Guillaume Hoarau will need to press their hosts without tactical guile whist Claude Makélélé, in what is appearing more and more like his final year playing, will need to keep Karim Benzema under-wraps.

Bordeaux pays back PSG with 4-0 destruction

With a backdrop of PSG’s 1-0 victory over Bordeaux in the second week of the year and only four points off perennial champion Olympique Lyonnais in first place, Laurent Blanc’s side put forth a stunning demonstration as they defeated the Parisians 4-0. For PSG, the match started with promise as they had a keen eye towards finding an early goal and appeared to have the upper hand. Yet in-hindsight Bordeaux was merely finding their rhythm and it was a beat the PSG could not keep up with.

The cold evening chill at Stade Chaban Delmas could not slow Bordeaux and after PSG challenged early, Souleymane Diawara drove into the box dreadfully unmarked to aggressively head Yoann Gourcuff free-kick to give the home side a 1-0 lead after ten minutes. The goal seemed to startle PSG and the attacking intent of Stéphane Sessegnon bled-out and the brilliant young striker Guillaume Hoarau seemingly absent. Ten minutes from the break Mathieu Chalmé sent a stunning pass some thirty-five plus meters to a surging Fernando Cavenaghi who followed with a textbook left-footed half volley into the back of the net. It was a telling blow as the Argentine international, Cavenaghi had snuck behind Zoumana Camara who appeared to expect Mickaël Landreau to move up to challenge the ball but in a rare moment of indecision the PSG ‘keeper did not come forward. With the lead now doubled the chilling temperatures juxtoposed temper flares up on the pitch. Tackles took a harsher tone and referee Stéphane Lannoy worked diligently to maintain control of the match. Quite truthfully, PSG was fortunate not to be playing a man down before the break as Stéphane Sessegnon embarrassed himself with a dreadful dive that was deserving of his second yellow-card of the night. While PSG hunted for a goal to draw them back into the match, Yoann Gourcuff provided a highlight clip piece of footwork that will live throughout his long career. Receiving the ball in the box he outwitted Sammy Traoré by dragging the ball back and finishing perfectly into the net to bring the match to a 3-0 scoreline with twenty minutes remaining. Regardless of your allegiances it was absolute genius and further evidence of his boundless promise. Stéphane Sessegnon night of horror continued in the final ten minutes as from six meters out and a golden opportunity for a consolation goal, he managed to somehow send the ball off track. The celebration continued for the home fans as Fernando Menegazzo added the fourth goal with three minutes remaining to bring the match to the final 4-0 score.

Without a doubt this was PSG’s darkest moment this campaign and they will need to show the mettle they are made of. Lessons are to be learned from this match and in so doing, continue their chase for hardware. Resolve is what champions are made of and now is the time to show it. PSG enters a unique scheduling run as their next five Ligue 1 matches are all against lower-table sides that could easy see them come out with a full fifteen points. With Sochaux-Montbéliard, SM Caen, FC Nantes, Saint-Étienne and Grenoble the opportunity to climb up the table is before them.

Before returning to Ligue 1 action, PSG faces RC Lens in a thrilling Coupe de la Ligue match this Wednesday.

all systems go in the UEFA Cup

In his pre-match press-conference Paul Le Guen answered questions regarding PSG's >extremely lethargic performance against Schalke 04 and of-course how this impacts tomorrows UEFA Cup match against Racing Santander.

While noting the match on the weekend against Stade Rennais and all Ligue 1 competition, he stressed that the UEFA Cup would not be "sacrificed." Stressing that there he will use the same eighteen players as with Olympique Lyonnais, he did not that "however there will be some rotations." Noting that the Schalke match was different because of the Olympique Marseille match on the following weekend, he suggested the the Racing Santander affair would be different because it is at Parc des Princes.

Questioned about priority of domestic or European competition he reiterated that whilst not sacrificing the UEFA Cup the basic competition is Ligue 1 and while Sunday's match against Rennes if of greater importance, "it is not question of neglecting UEFA Cup."

Emphasizing his appreciation of European competition he added, "I always made good runs in Europe (competition) and considered it very exciting to play in but it is necessary to take into account our total position.”

PSG climbs the table with a victory over Lyonnais

In front of a highly supportive Parc des Princes, PSG defeated Olympique Lyonnais 1-0 on the strength of Ludovic Giuly's goal twenty-five minutes into the match. The victory pushes PSG into a three-way tie for third place with Olympique Marseille and Stade Rennais with twenty-six points. Going into the match Lyon manager Claude Puel was handcuffed with a multitude of injuries and in conjunction with a challenging schedule that includes a Champions League match on Tuesday against Fiorentina, had a number of difficult tactical decisions. With Juninho on the bench at the start of the match and with Fabio Grosso's injury the typical Lyon attack lacked the same bite and allowed PSG to slowly gain a foothold in the match and become the aggressor.



The already difficult situation took a turn for the worse for the visitors as Anthony Réveillère suffered a knee injury and seventeen year-old Timothée Kolodziejczak was deputized into duty. At the twenty-fifth minute Ceará sent a stunning cross from the far right wing across to a poorly marked Ludovic Giuly who headed the ball in. The defending champions came close to leveling the match but as per the case so often this year Mickaël Landreau held them at bay. At the hour mark the match which already possessed a peculiar story line added another very unique twist as Claude Puel called upon captain Juninho for Karim Benzema. The always dangerous Juninho picked the Lyonnais attack up but without luck became frustrated and the match deteriorated into a series of very chippy fouls. The crescendo came with fourteen minutes remaining when Juninho fouled Sylvain Armand in a menacing fashion that not only drew a straight red-card but will likely draw further suspension. Lyonnais came with a whisper of leveling the match but it was not to be and PSG took a 1-0 victory. Notably for PSG, Stéphane Sessegnon had probably his finest moment for the club and is playing at a work rate and level of fitness far beyond his history.

PSG returns to action next Thursday against Racing Santander in the UEFA Cup.

an opportunity that cannot be missed

With Olympique Lyonnais visiting Parc des Princes Saturday afternoon, PSG has a extraordinary opportunity to gain points on the Ligue 1 perennial champions. Sitting eighth in the table, Paul Le Guen's forces are the beneficiary of unique scheduling that provides them an extraordinary advantage on Lyon and should have been dealt with by regulatory bodies. While PSG must strike with this opportunity it bares noting that the LFP should have recognized the problems of multiple layers of scheduling layering on top of each other and for the sanctity of the game and ensuring they put the best players on the pitch, rescheduled matches. With many players involved in international duty, European and domestic competition, situations related to fatigue are a major concern with the by-product injuries if not lowered level of play comes into question. For a club such as Lyon which is headed to its eighth successive title, it forces them into a difficult situation where they must either place players at risk or prioritize matches which in the end hurts loyal supporters of the beautiful game. It is remarkable in todays era of inflated ticket prices and an endless array of products associated to the club that fans do not join forces and tell regulatory bodies that this type of nonsense must come to an end. This certainly isn't a planned event by PSG or any squad but the Parisian club should reap the benefits of it today as they go forward.

As Claude Puel enters the match he is dealing with the loss of Mathieu Bodmer, Francois Clerc, Cesar Delgado, Fabio Grosso and Miralem Pjanic as well as the likely absences of Jean Makoun, Jeremy Toulalan, Karim Benzema and Juninho. Given the fact they face Fiorentina in the Champions League, he will need to pull the reigns in with not only his lineup but tactical approaches, thus pushing this into more of a box-to-box situation. It is unfortunately his only choice and because of the lack of responsible management from regulatory bodies have bound his hands.

PSG enters the match well-rested and should be one-hundred per-cent fit. Whilst Paul Le Guen did not order up this scheduling oddity that provides an distinct advantage, he must be ruthless in the attack and take the attack to Lyonnais. Tactically this is a key as you must push the work-rate of the defending champions early and look to sever their chances in-order to gain three points. The pedigree of Lyonnais is irrefutable but PSG must use this opportunity to deliver the deadly blow and cannot allow the matches pace to slow. If there is a key to watch in the match it is the attacking focus of Stéphane Sessegnon pushing forward with an attacking trident of Mateja Kežman, Guillaume Hoarau who will one-day be capped for Les Bleus when a lunatic no longer runs the asylum and Ludovic Giuly.

I will report on the match once it concludes.

Roş-Albaştrii fall-short in Lyon

The efforts of the Roş-Albaştrii fell short yesterday losing 2-0 to Lyon in the Champions League. The loss leaves Steaua Bucureşti win a single point, two behind Fiorentina with two matches remaining. Dorinel Munteanu's forces had a tough task ahead of them and it appeared they had struck the right chord at first with a tight defensive plan and a focus on the counter-attack. Yet with the pitch in very poor conditions from heavy rainfall, movement was difficult and pushing forward on the counter was very challenging. The match was scoreless up to a minute before the break the match was scoreless however with a Tiago Gomes foul, Lyon's Juninho free-kick artist stepped-up and painted a perfect drive through the wall and into the net. With very limited scoring chances, Roş-Albaştrii was anxious for a draw and went forward but as time wound down Anthony Réveillère scored on the counter-attack to bring the match to a 2-0 conclusion.

Olympique Lyonnais
Hugo Lloris,Fabio Grosso,Jean-Alain Boumsong,Cris,Anthony Réveillère, Ederson (Kim Kallstrom 70'),Jean II Makoun,Jérémy Toulalan,Juninho,Karim Benzema (Frederic Piquionne 83'), Kader Keita (Cesar Delgado 70')

Steaua Bucureşti
Robinson Zapata,Petre Marin,Dorin Goian(59'),Sorin Ghionea,George Ogararu,Bogdan Stancu (Dayro Moreno 59'),Mirel Rădoi,Tiago Gomes,Ianos Szekely (Antonio Semedo 46, Arthuro 81'),Pantelis Kapetanos,Bănel Nicoliţă

Dorinel Munteanu to lead Steaua Bucureşti to glory!

With Dorinel Munteanu in-charge of Steaua Bucureşti todays quest for glory against Lyon in Champions League will have a passionate aspect to it. Taking over the Roş-albaştrii in a troubled state, the club put forth a great effort against rival Dinamo this weekend in the heated Bucureşti derby. The deck is stacked against them advancing as they have only a single point in three matches and well behind leader Bayern München and Ligue 1 outfit, Lyon, however motivation reigns supreme and Dorinel has super-charged the club with enthusiasm. It will naturally take an enormous effort after Lyon defeated Steaua Bucureşti 5-3 at Stadionul Steaua but with particular leadership from the likes of core of Tricolorii 'capped George Ogăraru, Bănel Nicoliţă, Sorin Ghinionea, Dorin Goian, and the great young sharpshooter, Bogdan Stancu, the Ros-albastrii can do it.

The legendary Steaua Bucureşti-man, now manager Dorinel Munteanu said of the match:

"I may not have much experience but we have a lot of experienced players and they're all ready to rise to the challenge."

"They're strong but they have weaknesses. I've watched the game again very carefully, especially the moments when Steaua were on top, and I've prepared my players extremely well."

Steaua Bucureşti Champions League draw results

Marius Lăcătuş leads Steaua Bucureşti into the Champions League. In todays draw they were allocated to Group F which includes Fiorentina of Italy's Serie A, Bayern München of Germany's Bundesliga and Ligue One champion Olympique Lyonnais.

Matchday One - Sep 17
Steaua Bucuresti - Bayern München

Matchday Three - Oct 21
Steaua Bucuresti - Olympique Lyonnais

Matchday Five - Nov 25
Bayern München - Steaua Bucuresti

Matchday Two - Sep 30
Fiorentina - Steaua Bucuresti

Matchday Four - Nov 5
Olympique Lyonnais - Steaua Bucuresti

Matchday Six - Dec 10
Steaua Bucuresti - Fiorentina