Late Cheyrou strike checks 10-man Bordeaux

January 18, 2010

Benoit Cheyrou struck an 81st-minute equaliser to earn Marseille a 1-1 draw at Bordeaux on Sunday that kept his side in the title race, albeit 11 points behind the league leaders with a game in hand.

Defending champions Bordeaux led through a contested Steve Mandanda own goal on the cusp of half-time but lost goalkeeper Cedric Carrasso to injury and then had centre-back Marc Planus sent off.

The numerical advantage allowed Marseille to boss the match for the first time and they snatched a point when Cheyrou chested down a knockdown before volleying past substitute keeper Ulrich Rame, after Bordeaux’s defenders had been sucked towards Brandao at the defence of a free-kick.

The visitors came close to victory in the closing stages, but Rame saved superbly from Lucho Gonzalez’s instinctive toe-poke and Mathieu Valbuena flashed a low, right-footed shot narrowly wide.

Bordeaux now lead the French top flight by seven points from Lille, while Marseille climb above Lyon to fourth.

The opening goal went down as a Mandanda own goal but it owed everything to a superb cross from advancing centre-back Mickael Ciani and the single-mindedness of Marouane Chamakh, whose strong aerial challenge forced the France international goalkeeper to divert the ball into his own net.

The away side protested fiercely about the legitimacy of Chamakh’s leap but referee Laurent Duhamel turned a deaf ear.

It was shortly before the hour-mark that Bordeaux lost Carrasso to an injury apparently sustained taking a free-kick deep inside his own half.

Rame took over between the sticks and quickly found himself exposed when Mamadou Niang earned a free-kick right on the edge of the Bordeaux area, having been felled by Planus, who was promptly dismissed.

Planus’s expulsion was harsh given the presence of a covering defender in the form of Ciani, but Cheyrou could not capitalise with the dead ball.

Laurent Blanc had deployed Chamakh as a lone central focal point and Bordeaux’s attacking midfielders pressed high up the pitch, pinning Marseille deep inside their own half and cutting off Marseille’s own forward trident of Niang, Brandao and Fabrice Ariel.

The tactic gave Bordeaux control of proceedings in the first half but clear-cut chances were scarce.

Ciani had a shot deflected over the crossbar following a neat turn in the Marseille penalty box in the fifth minute, while Wendel and Yoann Gourcuff both drew straightforward saves from Mandanda.

In Saturday’s action, in-form Lille stretched their winning run to eight matches in all competitions and galvanised their grasp on second place by beating Paris Saint-Germain 3-1.

On the first weekend programme of fixtures after the winter break, Lyon got their season back on track with a 2-0 win at Nancy while Montpellier beat Nice 1-0 to hold onto third place in the table, a point shy of Lille.

PARIS (AFP)

Tags: benoit cheyrou, Bordeaux, bordeaux area, brandao, Cedric Carrasso, central focal point, ciani, deaf ear, equaliser, Fabrice Ariel, France, france international, free kick, Germain, Gonzalez, knockdown, laurent blanc, Laurent Duhamel, lucho gonzalez, Lyon, marc planus, marouane chamakh, Marseille, Mathieu Valbuena, Montpellier, Nancy, niang, Nice, PARIS, rame, Steve Mandanda

Real’s precision missiles v Barca’s extraordinary teamwork

December 11, 2009

Cristiano Ronaldo’s thunderous free kick for Real Madrid against Olympique Marseille and Barcelona’s slick passing move that led to Xavi’s equaliser away to Dynamo Kiev were given a statistical overhaul in the Spanish media on Thursday.

Under the heading “Precision missiles” in sports daily AS, Ronaldo’s net-buster was measured at 102.7kph over 33.4 metres, and reached a height of 3.70 metres before tearing past Marseille goalkeeper Steve Mandanda.

(I’d be interested to know the stats around Mario Balotelli’s free kick screamer that he scored for Inter Milan against Rubin Kazan).

It isn’t Ronaldo’s fastest yet, though. The first of the two freekicks he scored against FC Zurich in September was measured at 103kph.

A full diagram of the player in action, showing angles of attack, muscles and even the bones in his foot where he makes contact with the ball (the famous metatarsals and the scaphoid bone, if you ask), were used to demonstrate his “biomechanically perfect style.”

Up the road in Barcelona, they championed Lionel Messi’s more conventional free kick against Dynamo, but went overboard with the statistics on Xavi’s goal.

Mundo Deportivo described “an extraordinary team move” boasting 55 touches and 20 passes in 53 seconds, in which nine players were involved.

Only goalkeeper Victor Valdes and defender Carles Puyol, and the entire Dynamo team were complete spectators as Eric Abidal crossed for Xavi to slide in and score.

It doesn’t match Barca’s goal I wrote about on March 17th of this year, but it was still impressive.

Does this battle of statistics sum up the difference between Real Madrid and Barcelona at present? One a group of brilliant individuals, the other a brilliant team?

Real are without suspended Ronaldo in Valencia on Saturday and Barca probably won’t have Messi because of injury when city rivals Espanyol visit. I suspect Ronaldo will be missed the most.

PHOTO: Real Madrid’s Cristiano Ronaldo scores a goal against Olympique Marseille during their Champions League soccer match at the Velodrome Stadium in Marseille, December 8, 2009. REUTERS/Philippe Laurenson

Source

Tags: angles of attack, brilliant team, carles puyol, city rivals, cristiano ronaldo, dynamo kiev, eric abidal, fc zurich, freekicks, inter milan, lionel messi, MADRID, Marseille, metatarsals, Milan, olympique marseille, perfect style, Philippe Laurenson, photo real madrid, ronaldo, rubin kazan, scaphoid bone, spanish media, Steve Mandanda, Valencia, Velodrome Stadium, victor valdes, ZURICH

Marseille start lucky, but end with romp over Zurich

November 4, 2009

Marseille made the most of early fortune before romping to a 6-1 win over FC Zurich here on Tuesday that add hope to the French side’s dreams of qualifying from Champions League group stages.

Marseille started the match without injured Argentine international playmaker Lucho Gonzalez, prompting Didier Deschamps into a shake up that saw Hilton replace Taye Taiwo at left back and Baky Kone join Brandao and Mamadou Niang in a three-pronged attack.

That decision paid off handsomely, with Niang, Hilton and Brandao adding their names to a scoresheet that was loaded with goals in the latter stages.

However Marseille’s eventual dominance of their fourth encounter in Group C, with their final two games against Real Madrid and AC Milan still to come, was initially not all their own doing.

Marseille started with punch but when the opening goal came on three minutes the head of Zurich midfielder Silvan Aegerter turned the ball past Johnny Leoni in the visitors’ net.

Marseille continued to dominate the early stages and, again, another free kick from the left led to their second goal.

This time a more cohesive Zurich defence held their line firmly as Niang, Brandao and Kone all pushed towards goal.

But all three players appeared blatantly off-side when Fabrice Abriel’s free kick rose then dipped dangerously close to the Zurich net before beating the Zurich ‘keeper.

Marseille had two chances to pull further ahead, the first when Bruno Cheyrou’s angled shot, after some nice play by Abriel then Niang, was shot straight at Leoni.

On 25 minutes Brandao, unmarked barely 10 yards from the goal, then fired a first-time effort over the crossbar after Niang had provided the pass after pouncing on a poor clearance by the Zurich defence.

When Zurich reduced the deficit six minutes later it came without any external assistance.

Frenchman Alexandre Alphonse picked up a pass just outside the area, turned and held off defenders Stephane Mbia and Gabriel Heinze to beat Steve Mandanda with a great left-foot drive.

His goal had Deschamps up out of his seat, and gave the visitors a much needed zest that, for the remainder of the first half, had Marseille at sixes and sevens and edged them closer to scoring the equaliser.

Despite brief flashes of attacking play from Zurich, the second half seemed to be all about Marseille showing their first half advantage was no fluke.

A Heinze drive that flew just over the far top corner signalled their intentions early on, and soon the hosts were 3-1 up after Kone returned Niang’s pass and watched the Marseille striker pounce to beat Leoni from close range on 52 minutes.

Zurich had a convincing claim for a penalty waved away in the 65th minute, and their misfortune was compounded in the 80th minute when Hilton drove home their fourth goal after a loose ball fell to his feet inside the area.

Seven minutes later Cheyrou carried the ball from the right flank before unleashing a superb drive that had Leoni flapping at thin air and left the ball in the net.

At the death Brandao took their tally to six after latching on to a solid cross-goal Niang pass to beat Leoni from a yard out.

MARSEILLE, France (AFP)

Tags: AC, Alexandre Alphonse, Argentine, bruno cheyrou, champions league group, didier deschamps, external assistance, Fabrice Abriel, fc zurich, french side, gabriel heinze, Gonzalez, group stages, Johnny Leoni, latter stages, MADRID, mamadou niang, Marseille, mbia, Milan, playmaker, pronged attack, real madrid, scoresheet, silvan, stephane mbia, Steve Mandanda, Taiwo, ZURICH

Marseille suffer in shock defeat

September 26, 2009

Marseille’s build-up to their crucial Champions League assignment at mighty Real Madrid in midweek suffered an embarrassing setback on Saturday when they slumped to a 3-2 defeat at humble Valenciennes, twice surrendering a lead.

The defeat also cost Didier Deschamps’s team the chance to take over top spot in the French first division.

They remain in third place, two points behind leaders and champions Bordeaux, who tackle Rennes on Sunday while Lyon can go top later Saturday with victory over Toulouse.

Former Real Madrid and Liverpool striker Fernando Morientes started his first match for Marseille since his summer switch from Valencia and the former Spanish international star opened the scoring in the 13th minute after good work by Lucho and Brandao.

Milan Bisevac levelled for Valenciennes seven minutes later after Marseille goalkeeper Steve Mandanda could only parry a sharp drive from Rafael.

Mamadou Niang restored Marseille’s lead in the 22nd minute after a corner from Benoit Cheyrou wasn’t cleared.

In the 28th minute Valenciennes, who thumped Sochaux 5-2 last weekend, were level for the second time with David Ducourtioux planting a diving header past Mandanda.

The match looked to be heading for a draw until Brazilian defender Rafael headed Valenciennes’ winner seven minutes from time.

Unheralded Montpellier share third spot with Marseille after Nenad Dzodic headed a 78th-minute winner at home to promoted Boulogne for a 1-0 win.

Paris St Germain, held to a home 1-1 draw by Lyon last week, lost further ground in the title race when they drew 1-1 at Lorient.

Arnold Mvuemba gave Lorient a 40th-minute lead but Guillaume Hoarau levelled for PSG in first-half injury-time.

Monaco are just behind PSG in seventh place on goal difference after losing 2-1 at home to Saint Etienne for whom Argentine striker Gonzalo Bergessio scored a last-minute goal.

Hapless Grenoble suffered their seventh defeat in seven outings and are rooted to the bottom of the table without a point.

PARIS (AFP)

Tags: benoit cheyrou, brandao, didier deschamps, fernando morientes, goal difference, injury time, international star, Lucho, mamadou, minute goal, minute winner, paris st germain, psg, real madrid, saint etienne, sochaux, Steve Mandanda, summer switch, valenciennes

Rennes on high as French tighten grip on troublemakers

September 26, 2009

Unheralded Rennes will be raring to prove that they merit their place among the big boys when they travel to champions Bordeaux as the French league returns to action at the weekend under tight security.

Rennes, sitting fourth after a stormy 4-0 win over Grenoble last weekend, are counting on pulling off an exploit at Bordeaux on Sunday after coming from behind to book their place in the last 16 of the League Cup with a 2-1 win over Sochaux on Wednesday.

This weekend’s matches will be the first since the French government announced new security measures following violence which has marred the start of the season.

The measures include increased police surveillance and points reductions for teams whose supporters are involved in violence at matches.

Bordeaux, meanwhile, will be keen to maintain their unbeaten run at their Chaban Delmas stadium this season.

The western French side are on top of the league, two points ahead of former champions Lyon and Marseille with Rennes a further two points behind, after the Brittany outfit made a surprisingly strong start to the season and are unbeaten after six games.

The chasing pack will be looking for the champions, who could be without midfielder Yoann Gourcuff after he suffered a thigh strain, to trip up.

And Didier Deschamps has ordered his Marseille to focus on Valencienes and not next week’s Champions League tie against Spanish giants Real Madrid despite their league rivals having earned just seven points from six games.

“If my players already have Real at the back of their minds, I’m not going to take that away from them. But I’ll remind them that the priority is the championship,” said Deschamps.

Marseille goalkeeper Steve Mandanda added: “It would be a lie to say that we’re not thinking a little about Madrid. We know that this match is looming but today it’s Valenciennes.”

Lyon coach Claude Puel, meanwhile, has injury worries ahead of his side hosting midtable Toulouse and will be without Argentine striker Lisandro Lopez, Brazilian midfielder Michel Bastos and defender Jean-Alain Boumsong.

And midfielder Kim Kallstrom is expecting a tough test against Toulouse, riding high after coming away with a win from Partizan Belgrade in the Europa League recently.

“Toulouse are very strong and are coming off a very good season,” he said. “They also have a great striker (Andre-Pierre Gignac). We have to watch out for this team.”

Elsewhere fifth-placed Monaco host St Etienne, while Paris St Germain travel to Lorient, while Sunday sees Le Mans host Lens and Nice visit Lille.

Tailenders Grenoble travel to Auxerre, as the Burgundy side bid to kickstart their season after their 3-1 League Cup flop to second division strugglers Sedan.

Saturday (all times 17:00 GMT unless stated)

Auxerre v Grenoble

Lorient v PSG

Monaco v St Etienne

Montpellier v Boulogne

AS Nancy v Sochaux

Valenciennes v Marseille

Lyon v Toulouse (19:00)

Sunday

Lille v Nice (15:00)

Le Mans v Lens (15:00)

Bordeaux v Rennes (19:00)

PARIS (AFP)

Tags: Andre-Pierre Gignac, Argentine, Belgrade, big boys, Bordeaux, Boulogne, brazilia, Brittany, claude puel, didier deschamps, french league, french side, Germain, Grenoble, injury worries, jean alain boumsong, kim kallstrom, league rivals, league tie, Lens, Lille, Lorient, Lyon, Mans, Marseille, Michel Bastos, Monaco, Montpellier, Nancy, new security measures, PARIS, police surveillance, real madrid, seven points, six games, sochaux, Steve Mandanda, thigh strain, tight security, Toulouse, valenciennes, western French, yoann gourcuff

Super-Pippo at the double to punish spirited Marseille

September 16, 2009

AC Milan left their mediocre form in Italy’s Serie A well behind them to beat Marseille 2-1 at the Stade Velodrome and strike a first blow in their Champions League group C on Tuesday.

Milan striker Filippo Inzaghi proved a thorn in the side of Didier Deschamps’ side on a wet and rainy night in Marseille scoring a goal in either half of an entertaining match and coming close on several other occasions.

Marseille scored early in the second half through Argentine defender Gabriel Heinze but despite plenty of pressure from the hosts Leonardo’s visitors held on to claim their first ever victory in Europe over the team that beat them 1-0 to win the trophy in 1993.

Deschamps said: “At the highest level only the result counts. We can say we did some things well…but like I said before the game Milan are Milan. They are among the great sides, used to this level.

“As is often the way Italian realism made the difference…we’re now in a tricky position for the start of the competition.”

Despite a string of poor league results Milan were worthy opponents for a determined Marseille side in an entertaining first half in which both sides missed several scoring chances.

The first scare for the hosts came on 10 minutes when an onrushing Inzaghi almost made contact with a corner delivered to the near post, only for the ball to rebound off ‘keeper Steve Mandanda before being cleared.

Marseille, being marshalled upfield by captain Mamadou Niang, gradually found their rhythm and soon began applying the pressure but Milan remained consistently dangerous on the counter-attack.

Niang had a chance to open the scoring on 25 minutes when he picked up Bruno Cheyrou’s pass on the right after the midfielder’s initial shot was blocked, but his effort sailed over Marco Storari’s crossbar.

Two minutes later Marseille were punished for leaving Inzaghi on his own at the far post as Milan opened the scoring.

A superb Pato toyed with several Marseille players before Clarence Seedorf coolly picked up the ball, switched feet and spotted Inzaghi unmarked and heading to the back post, where he beat Mandanda with ease to claim his 43rd Champions League goal.

Marseille were then let off the hook in the 37th minute when Pato, unmarked near the penalty spot, failed to make full connect with a right wing cross as his tame effort missed its target.

Two minutes later Inzaghi could have doubled Milan’s lead but after an inch-perfect free kick from Andrea Pirlo the striker’s head failed to make full contact with the ball.

Moments before the interval Cheyrou almost gave the hosts the equaliser but his well-struck volley from the edge of the area was saved by Storari.

Marseille came out fired up after the break and Argentine midfielder Lucho struck a superb first-time shot from the edge of the area which took a slight deflection before shaving Storari’s left upright.

That was a sign of things to come and on 48 minutes Heinze rose unchallenged to meet Cheyrou’s free kick to head the ball through Storari’s legs to claim his first ever Champions League goal.

Marseille defender Taye Taiwo then tested Storari with a stinging shot from the left of the area and a Cheyrou free kick then forced a double-fisted save from Storari, the rebound falling to Lucho whose first time effort went high and wide.

A moment of madness from Milan midfielder Mathieu Flamini saw the former Arsenal man cautioned on the hour mark for a blatant two-footed tackle.

Inzaghi then pounced for the second time in the match, outfoxing the Marseille defence in the 74th minute to send a cross from the left past Mandanda with the outside of his right foot.

Marseille rallied in the closing minutes but despite Deschamps sending on forward pair Hatem Ben Arfa and Fernando Morientes, Milan held on for what could prove a crucial victory.

MARSEILLE, France (AFP)

Tags: ac milan, bruno cheyrou, champions league group, clarence seedorf, didier deschamps, far post, filippo inzaghi, first blow, mamadou niang, Marco Storari, midfielder, rainy night, realism, s pass, stade velodrome, Steve Mandanda, tricky position, victory in europe, worthy opponents

Henry returns to France national fold

August 27, 2009

Thierry Henry was today recalled to the France squad for the 2010 FIFA World Cup South Africa qualifying double-header against Romania and Serbia but there was still no place for Patrick Vieira.

Barcelona striker Henry missed Les Bleus’ 1-0 win against the Faroe Islands earlier this month due to an Achilles injury but is now fit ahead of the start of the new La Liga season. France coach Raymond Domenech has been true to his word with Vieira after stating he would only recall the former Arsenal midfielder if he played more games.

Vieira started Inter Milan’s 1-1 draw with Bari at the weekend but was taken off at half-time, with coach Jose Mourinho opting instead for the more offensive-minded Ricardo Quaresma. France hosts Romania at the Stade de France on 5 September before going to Serbia four days later.

Domenech’s side are currently second in Group 7, five points behind Serbia, but they have played a game less.

France squad: Cedric Carrasso (Bordeaux), Hugo Lloris (Lyon) Steve Mandanda (Marseille); Eric Abidal (Barcelona), Gael Clichy (Arsenal), Julien Escude (Sevilla), Patrice Evra (Manchester United), Rod Fanni (Rennes), William Gallas (Arsenal), Bakary Sagna (Arsenal), Sebastien Squillaci (Sevilla); Abou Diaby (Arsenal), Alou Diarra (Bordeaux), Lassana Diarra (Real Madrid), Yoann Gourcuff (Bordeaux), Florent Malouda (Chelsea), Jeremy Toulalan (Lyon); Nicolas Anelka (Chelsea), Karim Benzema (Real Madrid), Andre-Pierre Gignac (Toulouse), Thierry Henry (Barcelona), Loic Remy (Nice), Franck Ribery (Bayern Munich)

Abhimanyu Rajput

Tags: Andre-Pierre Gignac, Barcelona, Bari, Bayern, Bordeaux, Cedric Carrasso, CHELSEA, Clichy, diarra real madrid, eric abidal, faroe islands, fifa world cup, florent malouda chelsea, France, franck ribery, Henry, Hugo Lloris, jeremy toulalan, jose mourinho, Karim Benzema, lassana diarra, Lyon, MADRID, Manchester, Milan, Nice, Nicolas Anelka, patrice evra, patrick vieira, raymond domenech, Rennes, ribery bayern munich, ricardo quaresma, rod fanni, Romania, Sebastien Squillaci, serbia, SEVILLA, South Africa, Steve Mandanda, thierry henry, thierry henry barcelona, Toulouse, toulouse thierry, William Gallas, william gallas arsenal, yoann gourcuff

No Vieira as Domenech stuns Ribery with call-up

August 4, 2009

France coach Raymond Domenech has sprung a surprise by naming Bayern Munich midfielder Franck Ribery in his 22-man squad for the World Cup qualifier with the Faroe Isles in Torshavn on August 12.

Ribery is still recovering from a knee injury and, having last trained on July 12, indicated recently he was not yet match fit.

Meanwhile former midfield marshall Patrick Vieira has not made the squad.

The 33-year-old France skipper has already resumed training with his club Inter Milan but, despite nursing an injured thumb, appears to be paying the price for an apparent lack of form.

Making his return to the squad after a seven-month absence, Vieira was uninspiring in France’s 1-0 defeat to Nigeria in a June 2 friendly.

The Frenchman also failed to impress Domenech in Inter’s friendly against Monaco last week.

France have an eight-point deficit to group 7 leaders Serbia although ‘Les Bleus’ have played two games less.

The winners of each group qualify automatically for the World Cup finals in South Africa next summer, with the best runners-up being forced into a play-off.

Squad

Goalkeepers: Hugo Lloris (Lyon), Steve Mandanda (Marseille), Cedric Carrasso (Bordeaux)

Defenders: Eric Abidal (Barcelona/ESP), Julien Escude (Sevilla/ESP), Patrice Evra (Manchester United/ENG), Rod Fanni (Rennes), William Gallas (Arsenal/ENG), Bacary Sagna (Arsenal/ENG), Sebastien Squillaci (Sevilla/ESP)

Midfielders: Alou Diarra (Bordeaux), Lassana Diarra (Real Madrid/ESP), Yoann Gourcuff (Bordeaux), Florent Malouda (Chelsea/ENG), Moussa Sissoko (Toulouse), Jeremy Toulalan (Lyon), Franck Ribery (Bayern Munich/GER)

Forwards: Nicolas Anelka (Chelsea/ENG), Karim Benzema (Real Madrid/ESP), Thierry Henry (Barcelona/ESP), Andre-Pierre Gignac (Toulouse), Loic Remy (Nice)

PARIS (AFP)

Tags: alou diarra, Andre-Pierre Gignac, bacary sagna, Barcelona, Bayern, Bordeaux, Cedric Carrasso, CHELSEA, diarra real madrid, eric abidal, florent malouda chelsea, France, franck ribery, Hugo Lloris, jeremy toulalan, julien escude, Karim Benzema, lassana diarra, Lyon, MADRID, Manchester, Marseille, Milan, Monaco, moussa sissoko, Nice, Nicolas Anelka, nigeria, PARIS, patrice evra, patrick vieira, raymond domenech, Rennes, ribery bayern munich, rod fanni, Sebastien Squillaci, SEVILLA, South Africa, Steve Mandanda, thierry henry, thierry henry barcelona, Toulouse, William Gallas, william gallas arsenal, world cup qualifier, yoann gourcuff

Andrade and Marseille agree terms

July 16, 2009

Olympique Marseille have made yet another addition to their squad for the upcoming Ligue 1 season, having come to an agreement with Brazilian goalkeeper Elinton Andrade.

The 30-year-old makes the switch from Romanian side Rapid Bucharest and reportedly agreed to a one-year-deal with the French club.

In the past, the South American played for teams such as Flamengo, Flumeninse, Vasco da Gama and Italian side Ascoli, before joining Rapid in 2006.

Andrade, who also holds the Portuguese nationality, is expected to become back-up goalkeeper behind first choice Steve Mandanda.

By: Jonathan Roorda

Tags: Andrade, ascoli, back-up, bucharest, first choice, Flumeninse, french club, italian side, Jonathan Roorda, Ligue, Ligue 1, Marseille, Olympique, portuguese, portuguese nationality, rapid bucharest, Romanian, South American, Steve Mandanda, Vasco da, vasco da gama

Nigerians give Domenech the blues

June 3, 2009

ST ETIENNE, France (AFP) – France coach Raymond Domenech suffered another blow to his authority here on Tuesday as Nigeria beat France 1-0 in an international friendly.

Joseph Akpala scored the only goal of the game, the 22-year-old Club Brugge striker scoring in the 32nd minute after Ikechukwu Uche’s shot had come off the bar and hit French goalkeeper Steve Mandanda’s heel.

The crowd reacted furiously to the goal and started jeering and booing the French side, who had welcomed back from the international wilderness captain Patrick Vieira and Chelsea’s Florent Malouda.

However, neither shone with Vieira especially static in midfield on what was a sad 107th appearance for the former Arsenal star.

The hosts failed to rouse their supporters and it took fully an hour for them to even summon up ‘Allez les Bleus’ (Come on the Blues) as with the exception of Franck Ribery and Nicolas Anelka few of the other players shone.

Debutant Loic Remy went closest to levelling the match as the Nice striker’s shot hit the post two minutes from the end.

Domenech was never going to be warmly received in St Etienne as he used to play for their bitter historical rivals Lyon.

Indeed when their names were announced over the public address system Domenech and present and past players of Lyon were greeted with jeers and boos from the spectators – and interest in the national side has slid so much that the ground was only two thirds full.

However, there was a better sense of decorum as the crowd fell silent for a minute’s silence out of respect for the 228 passengers and crew of the Air France flight that disappeared on its way from Rio de Janeiro to Paris on Monday.

France play a second friendly against Euro 2008 semi-finalists Turkey on Friday.