Monaco out to topple French champions Bordeaux

October 31, 2009

In-form Monaco go into their game at Bordeaux on Saturday knowing that victory will allow them to finish the weekend at the top of the French first division for the first time since September 2004.

Guy Lacombe’s side are on a run of three straight league wins and head to the Stade Chaban-Delmas a point behind the defending champions in second place.

Monaco’s recent form has seen them move ahead of Lyon and Marseille in the race to wrestle the crown from Bordeaux, whose 3-0 victory at home to Le Mans last weekend came after back-to-back defeats in the league.

“We have to take the three points, particularly as it’s Monaco,” said Bordeaux goalkeeper Cedric Carrasso.

“We can’t drop points against our nearest rivals. They won at Marseille (a 2-1 victory on October 4) so we’ve been warned. We know they’re a strong team, and they’re chasing three points. But so are we.”

Monaco were grateful to league top scorer Nene for their 3-1 win at Boulogne-sur-Mer last time out, after the Brazilian forward struck two sublime free-kicks late on to take his personal tally for the season to nine.

The principality side are likely to be without South Korean striker Chu-Young Park, who scored the opener against Boulogne, as well as midfielder Cedric Mongongu, with both players struggling to overcome foot injuries.

“I’m hoping both will be fit in time, but I’m more optimistic for Cedric than I am for Chu,” said Lacombe.

The last time Monaco were top of the table their coach was Didier Deschamps, who made his return to French football when he joined former club Marseille in July.

A sizeable summer outlay on new players prompted some observers to install the Mediterranean outfit as title favourites, but they are currently five points behind leaders Bordeaux in fifth place – albeit with a game in hand after their match with Paris Saint-Germain last Sunday was postponed.

Marseille will now confront PSG on November 20 but their opponents on Saturday are 11th-placed Toulouse, who have struggled to recapture the form that saw them to a fourth-placed finish last term.

Andre-Pierre Gignac, the league’s top scorer last season, is yet to fire for Toulouse but he notched his second goal of the campaign in the 2-0 win at Lens last weekend and is looking forward to returning to a ground where he has enjoyed success in the past.

“The Velodrome is a magnificent stadium,” he said.

“Last season I scored twice there and I also scored the winning goal there for Lorient three years ago.

“I’ve never lost against OM and I don’t think it’ll happen this weekend. The pressure is on them, we have nothing to lose.”

Saturday’s late game is the local derby between Saint-Etienne and Lyon, who are seeing to bounce back from a shock 4-1 defeat at Nice that knocked them off top spot.

“The derby is a special match in the league schedule,” said Lyon captain Jeremy Toulalan.

“I was able to take part in a number of Nantes-Rennes derbies, but the intensity of the Saint-Etienne-Lyon derby is multiplied by two or three.

“This match looks complicated because Saint-Etienne are also on a poor run of results, but in difficulty we have always stood up to be counted.

“We are aware that this week will be important on a points level. We mustn?t get too far behind.”

PSG travel to Sochaux on Sunday, with Mamadou Sakho, Ludovic Giuly and Jeremy Clement having all returned to training following the swine flu outbreak that prompted the postponement of their match at Marseille.

Fixtures

Saturday (1700GMT unless otherwise stated)

Auxerre v Montpellier, Bordeaux v Monaco, Boulogne-sur-Mer v Nancy, Grenoble v Lille, Lens v Lorient, Marseille v Toulouse, Saint-Etienne v Lyon (1900GMT)

Sunday (1500GMT unless otherwise stated)

Nice v Le Mans, Rennes v Valenciennes, Sochaux v Paris Saint-Germain (1900GMT)

PARIS (AFP)

Tags: Bordeaux, cedric, chaban delmas, club marseille, didier deschamps, five points, foot injuries, free kicks, french football, Goalkeeper, Guy Lacombe, last sunday, nene, outlay, paris saint germain, principality, south korean, straight league, striker, young park

Bordeaux miss penalties but beat nine-man Bayern

October 22, 2009

Bordeaux fought back from a catastrophic start and survived a nerve-wracking second half to beat nine-man Bayern Munich 2-1 to go top of their Champions League Group A on Wednesday.

Bordeaux defender Michael Ciani opened the scoring, for Bayern, with an own goal in the fifth minute before making amends with an equaliser just before the half hour mark.

Marc Planus claimed Bordeaux’s second before the interval, however as Bayern striker Luca Toni missed a great late chance to equalise, the hosts went on to spectacularly miss two second half penalties.

Bayern coach Louis van Gaal never one to hold back when displeased gave vent to his feelings.

“The defeat has really angered me,” said the Dutch taskmaster, who won the trophy with Ajax in 1995.

“After the early goal we made too many poor passes. We were better in the second-half with 10 men than we were in the first-half with 11.”

Bayern came to the Chaban Delmas stadium without injured forwards Arjen Robben and Franck Ribery and in the hope that playmaker Thomas Muller could live up to his reputation as a future Bayern star.

Muller, however, was one of two Bayern players to be cautioned in the first half and the 20-year-old was sent off just after the half hour mark after a shocking tackle on Mathieu Chalme.

After just five minutes Ciani somehow bundled the ball past his ‘keeper Cedric Carrasso following a corner.

However as an ill-at-ease Bayern saw yellow cards going to Muller then Holger Badstuber, Laurent Blanc’s side dug in to lay the foundations for a well-deserved equaliser.

Marouane Chamakh saw his left-foot drive go wide of Hans-Joerg Butt’s post and a Wendel freekick from the right 10 minutes later forced the Bayern keeper into a crazy forearm save after he was duped by the bounce.

The hosts’ pressure paid off when they won a corner just before the half hour, and Ciani made amends in style by side-flicking the ball past Butt with his right heel.

Muller’s red card barely a minute later saw Bordeaux then move up a gear and Wendel rose well to meet a cross from the right only for his poor header to sail wide.

Yoann Gourcuff then took a pass from the other side of midfield, turned and unleashed a superb drive from 25 yards that a beaten Butt did well to tip over the crossbar.

Two minutes later Bordeaux went ahead after a pacy freekick from the right caused mayhem for Bayern’s defence. Planus claimed the goal although Hamit Altintop looked to have played a major role.

Van Gaal made no changes for the start of the second half but was given hope of an equaliser on several occasions as Bordeaux wasted the chance to seal the win.

On 52 minutes Chamakh was cautioned for simulation, and at the other end a deep cross almost caught out Carrosso as the keeper began hin run out to collect the ball.

Miroslav Klose finally broke out of his slumber to challenge the hosts’ defence, but Planus did well to get back and block the shot.

Minutes later Chamakh won a dubious penalty for Bordeaux after a foul by Butt, but Gourcuff’s cheeky chip – telegraphed by the short run-up – was parried by the big keeper’s hand and kept out the net.

After Chamakh just failed to get on the end of a superb Wendel cross from the left, Toni, at the other end, missed a golden chance to equalise after his header at the back post had Carrosso beaten but bounced back off the upright.

In the closing 10 minutes Bordeaux had chances to score through Tremoulinas and Chamakh, and they were soon left regretting those misses.

In the 88th minute Chamakh won a more authentic penalty after being hauled down in the box by Daniel Van Buyten, who was sent off.

Once again, Butt came to the rescue to beat Jussie from the spot.

Blanc, despite ruing the two missed spot-kicks, said: “I thought beforehand we were going to play a big match, and we did. I’m very satisfied with my players, they showed their hunger in their mentality and in their attack.

“We saw a good Bordeaux this evening, the players gave everything and they respected what we said during the week – don’t forget the basics.”

PARIS (AFP)

Tags: Cedric Carrasso, chaban delmas, chamakh, champions league group, ciani, equaliser, foot drive, forearm, franck ribery, freekick, ill at ease, laurent blanc, left foot, luca toni, marc planus, playmaker, taskmaster, thomas müller, yellow cards

Benzema to join Real, when will the spending end?

July 2, 2009

France striker Karim Benzema is joining Real Madrid from Olympique Lyon, the Ligue 1 club said on Wednesday on their website.

The 21-year-old Benzema will become Real’s third major signing under returning president Florentino Perez after Brazil’s Kaka and Portugal’s Cristiano Ronaldo.

When Perez was first in charge at the Bernabeu he set about signing one Galactico each close season. Now he is trying to buy them all in a month.

Where is he getting the money from during this global economic crisis? Furthermore, what damage is the spending spree doing to other clubs?

Manchester United were reportedly interested in Benzema to try to boost their forward line after Ronaldo’s departure.

We really are in unchartered territory here. Will Real still pursue Bayern Munich’s Franck Ribery too?

Last time the Galactico plan did not actually bring trophies. A few defenders might help this time.

PHOTO: Olympique Lyon’s Karim Benzema reacts after their loss to Girondins Bordeaux in the French Ligue 1 soccer match at the Chaban Delmas stadium in Bordeaux, southwestern France, April 19, 2009. REUTERS/Olivier Pon

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Tags: Bayern, bayern munich, bernabeu, Bordeaux, brazil, chaban delmas, cristiano ronaldo, florentino perez, forward line, french ligue 1, girondins bordeaux, global economic crisis, kaka, Karim Benzema, LA Liga, Ligue 1, Lyon, Manchester, manchester united, Olivier Pon, olympique lyon, portugal, real madrid, reuters, ronaldo, southwestern france, spending spree, striker, time photo

Bordeaux, Marseille send title race down to the wire

May 24, 2009

PARIS (AFP) – The French title race will go down to the final day after leaders Bordeaux maintained a three point lead over Marseille as both teams won nerve-wracking matches on Saturday.

The Girodins who are the only top flight club unbeaten at home this season, gave the Chaban-Delmas faithful more of the same with a superb goal against Monaco from Morocco’s Marouane Chamakh.

He rose above the defence including Monaco ‘keeper Stephane Ruffier on 35 minutes to head home from a Yoann Gourcuff free-kick from the left to grab a 1-0 victory.

That goal was enough to mean Bordeaux can seal their first title since 1999 with a draw agaisnt Caen next Saturday.

However they had to survive a late Monaco onslaught and a rightly disallowed goal for the visitors, before they could turn their attentions to Caen.

Marseille kept their outside chances alive thanks to a first-half own goal from Nancy’s Damian Macaluso who deflected Laurent Bonnart’s shot past his own ‘keeper on 32 minutes.

Brandao gave Marseille some breathing room with a close range finish before Landry N’Guemo pulled a goal back for Nancy to make for a nerve-shredding finale for Eric Geret’s side.

Their dreams of a first trophy since winning the Champions League in 1993 are still flickering after this 2-1 win as they host Rennes in their final outing.

With Bordeaux three points clear Marseille must win and hope Bordeaux lose to bring the title to the Velodrome.

Elsewhere, Juninho scored his 100th goal for Lyon from the penalty spot on 34 minutes as he put the outgoing champions in front at home to Caen in what is likely to be his last match in front of his home fans.

Sydney Govou guaranteed Lyon will definitely be in the Champions League qualifiers next season when he volleyed home a superb strike on 71 minutes following a great through ball from Swede Kim Kallstrom.

Juninho was substituted on 80 minutes and left in tears as the Gerland faithful gave the iconic Brazilian playmaker an emotional final ovation in gratitude to his fabulous eight-year career at the club.

Caen pulled a goal back but Karim Benzema scored his 17th of the season four minutes from time to give the 3-1 scoreline a shiny gloss.

Valenciennes coach Antoine Kombouare who is set to take over at Paris Saint Germain next season and replace Paul Le Guen, saw his future employers take the lead on 11 minutes when Serbian striker Mateja Kezman steered the ball home following good work from Ludovic Giuly who crossed from the right.

However the home side fought back to level the match 16 minutes after the restart when Johan Audel latched onto Gael Danic’s free-kick and headed past Mickael Landreau.

Audel then turned goal scorer minutes later when his weak shot was embarrassingly fumbled across the line by Landreau to give Valenciennes a 2-1 win.

At Nice, Andre-Pierre Gignac moved closer towards becoming the league’s top scorer when he bagged his 23 and 24th goals of the season to give Toulouse a 2-0 win at the Du Ray stadium and move them closer towards a place in the Europa League next season.

In the relegation battle, Sochaux kept their survival chances alive with a 2-1 win over Nantes but the ‘Canaries’ are on the verge of falling through the trap door for the second time in club history and the second time in three seasons.

First-half goals from Mevlut Erding and Nigerian-born Rabiu Afolabi put Sochaux in command at the break and although Bagayoko scored from the spot on 61 minutes, it wasn’t enough to save the eight-time champions.

Saint Etienne slipped back into the bottom three as they crashed 1-0 at Auxerre making for a nervous final match at home to Valenciennes.

Tags: alive thanks, Andre-Pierre Gignac, Antoine Kombouare, attentions, Bordeaux, breathing room, chaban delmas, champions league qualifiers, close range, Damian Macaluso, Eric Geret, flight club, free kick, french title, Germain, home fans, johan audel, Karim Benzema, kim kallstrom, landry, last match, Laurent Bonnart, Ligue 1, Ludovic Giuly, Lyon, Marseille, Monaco, morocco, Nantes, Nice, onslaught, PARIS, Paul Le, ray, Rennes, swede, the, top flight, Toulouse, velodrome, yoann gourcuff

Bordeaux victory keeps their sights on Europe

March 15, 2009

PARIS (AFP) – Goals from Marouane Chamakh and Carlos Henrique in Bordeaux’s 2-1 win against Nice on Saturday enabled Laurent Blanc’s men to keep their sights on European action next season.

They jumped from fifth to third, relegating Toulouse, who lost 3-2 at Monaco, down a place to fifth. Leaders Lyon host Auxerre and second-placed Paris Saint Germain meet arch rivals and fourth-placed Marseille at the Parc des Princes on Sunday.

Bordeaux went ahead in the 19th minute when, following a corner, the ball went out to Yoann Gourcuff whose powerful initial shot set up Chamakh to score.

The joy at the Chaban-Delmas stadium was short-lived however as Bordeaux keeper Ulrich Rame committed a foul in the box and the subsequent penalty was scored by Habib Bamogo just five minutes later.

Three minutes after the break, Bordeaux got the winner thanks to a near-post header by Henrique following a Wendel cross.

Toulouse coach Alain Casanova was in despondant mood after their defeat to Monaco.

"It was a pity to lose this match. We were never really in danger in open play and then conceded three goals from freekicks," Casanova said.

"We are defending very badly in these situations. This defeat means we will have to re-evaluate things and get back to work. We should have calmly defended our lead in the second half and been more disciplined when we lost the ball. That didn’t happen."

Andre-Pierre Gignac scored for Toulouse and Frederic Nimani equalised for Monaco to leave the match 1-1 at the break. Mauro Cetto put Toulouse ahead but goals from Francois Modesto and then Igor Lolo in the second minute of injury time earned Monaco the win.

Written by: AFP

Tags: Alain Casanova, Andre-Pierre Gignac, arch rivals, auxerre, Bordeaux, carlos henrique, casanova, chaban delmas, Europe, five minutes, francois modesto, Frederic, gignac, gourcuff, habib bamogo, injury time, laurent blanc, Ligue 1, Lyon, marouane chamakh, Marseille, mauro cetto, Monaco, Nice, nimani, parc des princes, PARIS, paris saint germain, quot, three minutes, Toulouse, Ulrich Rame, wendel

Can Galatasaray’s “Great Captain” be a great coach?

March 5, 2009

Galatasaray took a gamble in replacing German coach Michael Skibbe with former captain Bulent Korkmaz just three days before their UEFA Cup tie against Bordeaux.

But there was jubilation at the Ali Sami Yen stadium on Thursday after the team clinched a place in the last 16 with Sabri Sarioglu’s 90th minute decider sealing a thrilling 4-3 win.

“There was a lack of motivation before I came,” Korkmaz said after the game, which ended a run of five matches without a victory.

“Tonight my players showed how they can play… We have done nothing yet, this is just the beginning.”

His side will play Bundesliga side Hamburg SV next.

Known affectionately to fans as the “Buyuk Kaptan”, (Great Captain), Korkmaz won eight domestic titles and the UEFA Cup in 2000 with Galatasaray. He was also capped 102 times by Turkey.

“He has brought us the spirit of 2000,” rejoiced a supporter on a Galatasaray blog. “Bulent is our boy.”

With his broad smile and coiffed black hair the Buyuk Kaptan certainly cuts a dash on the touchline.

But he has a patchy record as a manager. Since becoming a club coach in 2006 he has had stints with Kayseri Erciyesspor, Bursaspor and Genclerbirligi – all of them brief.

Fans see no better man to ferry their team across the Bosphoruous come May to a UEFA Cup final to be held in the stadium of bitter rivals Fenerbahce. But does Korkmaz risk joining the ranks of great players who fade into ineffectual managers?

PHOTO: Galatasaray’s supporters celebrate during their UEFA Cup match against Girondins Bordeaux at the Chaban Delmas stadium, Feb. 18, 2009. REUTERS/Regis Duvignau

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