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.”

a key match against Lille

Under the leadership of Rudi Garcia, Lille have enjoyed a superb start to the Ligue 1 campaign and proving that they are very capable of a run at the European spot. They have shown to be have an efficient attacking force while able to limit scoring opportunities. However on the road, they have had problems garnering a victory although their consistent play has them unbeaten in nine matches. As they travel to Parc des Princes they will be looking to prey upon PSG's inconsistent play. While Lille has not been able to win at Parc des Princes in over ten matches, that will provide little solace to PSG. dropped successive 1 - nil matches to Nice and Toulouse after their triumphant victory over Olympique Marseille. The only absentee for the match is Tulio De Melo of Lille and they will likely employ Nicolas Fauvergue as a lone striker in a 4-5-1. PSG has given little indication of their attacking force however based upon last weeks match a combination of Mateja Kežman, Ludovic Giuly and Guillaume Hoarau up-front is most likely.

I will report on the match as it concludes.

PSV rues missed opportunities

Once again the story of PSV's season appears to be "missed opportunities" and the inability to finish scoring chances as they lost to Olympique Marseille at the Stade Vélodrome. For the first half-hour of the match, PSV supporters could take solace in their effective movement on a pitch that was questionably playable and in-fact, if this was a league match I would expect the match to have been abandoned. However that wasn't to be the case and at the half hour mark Hatem Ben Arfa played a through ball to Bakari Koné, who showed good pace moving past Eric Addo and putting the ball behind PSV 'keeper Andreas Isaksson. PSV had a number of opportunities to level the match before the half but at each turn, finishing was abysmally ineffective. Three minutes past the hour l'OM doubled the margin as a Bakari Koné set-up Mamadou Niang for a point-blank goal, which he did not falter. From that stage the Ligue 1 club anxious to fill the net, controlled the run of play and seven minutes later Hatem Ben Arfa provided Mamadou Niang a perfect pass for the second goal of his night.

The loss dumps PSV to the bottom of Group D, tied with Marseille and five points behind Liverpool and Atlético Madrid. PSV returns to action against NEC Nijmegen in the Eredivisie this Saturday.

PSV visits Olympique Marseille

As PSV visits Olympique de Marseille in their fourth match of the Champions League, their slim chances of advancing to the knockout "round" are contingent upon a victory at Stade Vélodrome. Standing third in the table, well behind Liverpool and Atlético Madrid both tied four points about them, the most likely battle is for the third place finish and advancement to the UEFA Cup. Quite obviously a victory by PSV would send the French squad tumbling out of European competition for the year.

In the opening match between the two, Eric Gerets' l'OM looked completely out-classed at Philips Stadion as they stumbled to a hapless 2-0 defeat. Since that match both clubs have been playing somewhat "up and down" with PSV losing to Roda JC Kerkrade but subsequently coming out on top against ADO Den Haag and Willem II Tilburg whilst the Côte d'Azur residents fell to heated rivals PSG, drawing level with Nantes before defeating Saint-Étienne this weekend.

l'OM has been going through a trying period of late, notably Hatem Ben Arfa completely inexcusable behaviour when he refused to enter the PSG match late. While the much ado has been made of the situation being resolved, it is both unacceptable, jeopardizes Eric Gerets control of the club and lays doubt regarding the mettle of the twenty-one year-old Les Bleus capped winger. To complicate matters they will be without prolific goal-scorer Mamadou Niang for the match.

Hubb Stevens will be without Nordin Amrabat and Jérémie Bréchet for the match with Ibrahim Afellay fully healed from Saturdays collision on the pitch. Like l'OM, PSV is facing its own inner turmoil with a practice grounds blow-up of Edison Méndez and the the benching of Carlos Salcido. As much as they try to smother it publicly,the benching of El Tri capped defender raises the eyebrows of not only their supporters but the coaching world. With the club firmly developing ties to Football talent from Mexico, news has leaked that Carlos inability to speak Dutch has cost him his position. Within the modern Football world where a half a dozen languages are spoken on the pitch at any one-time, should this decision be true that the Carlos lost his decision for this, PSV will effectively be severed from the rich talent of México and deservedly feel the wrath of many, myself included. For PSV supporters this is one of the most troubling problems in recent memory as it will create a massive rift within a globalized sport.

I will report on the match as it concludes.

PSV on cruise against Willem II

Only three days before their critical Champions League match against Olympique Marseille, PSV cruised to a easy 2-0 victory over Willem II. The match was precisely what PSV manager Hubb Stevens although he will be concerned with the condition of Ibrahim Afellay who was harshly challenged by Willem II midfielder Ibrahim Kargbo.


PSV took the lead when Balázs Dzsudzsák's cross at the five minute mark when Willem defender Arjan Swinkels was the victim of an own-goal. With only a one-goal lead it was up to Danny Koevermans playing in his two-hundreth league match to score. Twelve minutes after the break, the Netherlands international struck from a superb volley from twenty meters over the Willem 'keeper Maikel Aerts to give PSV the 2-0 lead.

After the match, Hubb Stevens commented:

"Of course we were lucky to take an early lead. “We kept up the pressure and should have scored a second goal in the first half. But Danny Koevermans made up for that with a peach of a goal. I am sure it deserves a ‘Goal of the Month” nomination. We have bagged the three points and I hope all the lads have got through unscathed.”

PSV travels to Marseille to face l'OM in a crucial Champions League match this Tuesday.

PSG triumphs in Le Clasico

PSG supporters rejoice today as they devastated Olympique Marseille in le clasico. With Stade Vélodrome singing out it was PSG who triumphed on a career day by Jérôme Rothen, a boy-hood fan of the club, being the hero.



Yet it did not look to be such a grand day from the beginning as l’OM came out in fine attacking form, pressing Mickaël Landreau from the opening whistle. Yet as the dust settled, the surprise move of the day started with Paul Le Guen's tinkering of the lineup with an attacking trident of Guillaume Hoarau, Péguy Luyindula and Fabrice Pancrate. After l’OM came close, a hint of things to come was shown as Jérôme Rothen high curling corner from the left draw back from the goal to be headed into the net with power by a soaring Guillaume Hoarau. With the 1-0 lead, PSG didn't pull back and for those who considered this "rivalry" is merely a media fabrication, one glance at the intensity on the pitch revealed otherwise as tackling was hard, contact beyond the ball very apparent and tension was very high. PSG hopes took a downturn as Mamadou Niang brought the match level at the twenty-first minute when he pounced on a loose ball brought about with a missed communication between Mickaël Landreau and Grégory Bourillon. l’OM brought to the Vélodrome to their feet as Mathieu Valbuena gave them the lead just before the break as he pounced on a rebound.



But after the break a PSG emerged that we have not seen. Confidence and with intent they attacked the pitch with vengence and eight minutes after the break Fabrice Pancrate dispatched a perfectly weighted through ball for Péguy Luyindula, who subsequently chipped the ball over an on-rushing Steve Mandanda. The match was now level but both clubs were intent on victory. At the seventieth minute a volley from the left channel into the center was met perfectly by Benoit Cheyrou. The ball exploded off his foot into the crossbar and down near the goaline. Bouncing up Mickaël Landreau jumped to grasp it but was interfered with and the ball bounced nervously into the net. The referee waived the play off and PSG went on the attack. Finally with thirteen minutes, PSG took the lead with Jérôme Rothen striking a free kick from thirty meters. As the ball came down into the box it went miraculously untouched and into the net. Leading 3-2, l’OM was anxious to level but it was PSG who scored next as Guillaume Hoarau added the second of the night with eight minutes remaining and the celebrations began.



The victory hands Marseille their first loss of the year and send PSG above them to third place in Ligue 1, a single point behind Bordeaux and Lyonnais. PSG returns to action on Wednesday as they welcome Toulouse to Parc des Princes.

le clasico

With le clasico only hours away today, the great rivalry between Olympique Marseille and PSG is scheduled for another titanic battle of skill, passion and honour. This match transcends general league action for club and loyal supporters and it is quite obvious that PSG's lack of interest in this weeks UEFA Cup match against Schalke 04 is further proof of the importance of this match.

As it relates to injuries PSG will be without Ludovic Giuly and promising young striker Loris Arnaud, who injured his knee in the Schalke match and is expected out for four months. Marseille is fully fit and fatigue from this weeks Champions League match is said not to be a concern.

It is worthy to note that for our Côte d'Azur rivals, a victory could not only extend their unbeaten season but see them climb to the top of the Ligue 1 table, which is of-course not only a motivating factor for their concerns but a delectable opportunity to play the spoiler for PSG. While l'OM suffered an uncharacteristic 2-0 this week to PSV, manager Eric Gerets is confident of victory:

"Given all the criticism that we've come in for, there'll be a certain amount of pride, and the stadium will be full."

Furthering his comments and Pape Diouf's sentiments for inspired victory over PSG

"If anyone needs motivation in that case - where we have to show ourselves worthy of our supporters - then we would be in trouble. I hope, I know we're going to win on Sunday."

Historically l'OM holds a distinct advantage, victorious in roughly two-thirds of their matches and unbeaten in the last five. However the matches are always notably tight and even amongst the dark storms of last season, PSG fought the good fight, going to the final whistle going down 2-1.

Triumph over Marseille will only come through patience and if I can say, understanding the crest you play for. That might be a challenge in a match where few have come up through the academy but there was a time when the passion was as layered thick and tensions ran high. For those that embrace that special bond with club, each tackle will be a bit stronger, each run more aggressive and victory will be closer. PSG needs inspiration from within the midfield in both aspects of play with special reference to Stéphane Sessegnon, a young man who yearned to play under PSG colours and now has the chance on le clasico stage. The leadership Claude Makélélé has yet to be called upon as PSG captain as it will today as he will need to steady the forces within the confines of boisterous Stade Vélodrome.