League Cup: Thrills,Spills and 13 Goals in 3 Matches

By: Sam | October 30th, 2007

I say it way too often: Nobody cares about la Coupe de la Ligue. Well, results like the ones we witnessed today might be enough for me to reconsider that statement. While we’re still waiting for the other five matches to be played (tomorrow and thursday), the three today earned the right to be talked about separately. In a nutshell, here’s what went down.

Auxerre and Nice aren’t the most flamboyant or popular teams in the league, case in point the enormous home crowd of 5,000 at l’Abbé-Deschamps. The same crowd that watched a 5-3 thriller by their side against Lorient a few days ago. They opened the scoring early through Pedretti, but Ederson levelled from the spot ten minutes later. Down a man circa the second half, Nice still got a crucial go-ahead goal through Job on 83 minutes, but inevitably conceded in injury time on an Oliech goal. Sigh. Predictability, that’s your cue. Auxerre actually waited till the 105th minute to score again. Floodgates, that’s your cue. Maoulida (105), Oliech (112), Jelen (116), and Maoulida again (120) headlined the festival.

Coincidentally, Auxerre were to face the winner of the Marseille-Metz clash at the Vélodrome. Though Marseille were the clear favourites (Samir is back!), and they did have six dozen chances to score in the first ninety, they had to wait till extra-time to get their shit together. And they partially did! Mamadou Niang scored early, only to be shown up by N’Diaye. Cissé then scored a pretty one, only to be shown up by Baldé in the closing stages. Penalties? Yes please! Down 5-4, Sébastien Bassong stepped up and pulled a Beckham. Marseille are through. (LOL @ Metz supporters)

When the winners from two matches that combined for eight goals in two extra-time periods, it’s probably gonna be good.

Also being played today was Nancy and Amiens. Not quite as exciting as the two above matches. Moncef Zerka scored a penalty on thirteen minutes, and that would prove to be enough. They will face the winner of Monaco and Lens in the quarter-finals.

Side note: Be sure to check out The Offside’s first ever podcast, hosted by Ian and Anne! Watch out, because someone may be joining in the fun and talking about Ligue 1 soon!