Google

Saturday, November 25, 2006

 

France's top two host struggling giants



Gerard Houllier's champions are 12 points clear of the chasing pack, while Auxerre are languishing in 13th spot.
On Tuesday, Les Gones dropped their first points in the Champions League when they threw away a two-goal lead and were eventually held 2-2 at Real Madrid.
Houllier is experiencing huge problems up front in the build-up to Sunday night's big game, with virtually all of his frontmen nursing injuries.
Earlier this week he spoke of his desire to bring in a new face in attack.
"I do indeed need a new striker. Of course the injured players will return, but there's nothing to say they won't get injured again, like what happened last year with the defenders," Houllier told Le Progres newspaper.
Lille, meanwhile, will go into their game on Saturday against their Monegasque rivals hoping to close the gap on the leaders.
Laurent Banide's team will be no easy pickings, though, as they have lost only once in four outings since he took over.
Elsewhere on Sunday, third-placed Lens face a tough trip Le Mans, while fourth-placed Nancy go to the Stade Nungesser to take on Valenciennes.
Another French giant PSG, who are well below par in 14th, travel to relation-threatened Nantes.
In Troyes on Saturday, Albert Emon's Marseille will have do without the services of France midfielder Franck Ribery, who has a groin injury, when they take on the hosts.
Fresh from their midweek 3-1 Champions League win over Galatasaray, Bordeaux will be hoping for more of the same when take on high-flying St Etienne at the Stade Chaban Delmas.
In other games, Lorient take on form-team Sochaux, who are unbeaten in their last six matches - a run including four wins.
Basement boys Sedan travel to Nice and Toulouse welcome Rennes to the Stadium de Toulouse.

Comments: Post a Comment



<< Home

This page is powered by Blogger. Isn't yours?