Matchday 33- You’d Think They’d Be Bored Of Being Champions After Six Years

By: Sam | April 22nd, 2007

Five matches to go for everyone, and everything is possible. Except for Olympique Lyonnais not winning their sixth straight championship. Other than that, sides such as Lens, Toulouse, Marseille, Sochaux, Bordeaux and Rennes separated by five points in spots 2 through 7. At the bottom of the table, things are shaping up and taking form. Troyes, Sedan, and Nantes occupy the unpopular trinity, with Nice five points ahead of Troyes in 17th place. Barring an impressive turnaround, those three will be chilling in Ligue 2 next year.

As you may have heard, before this matchday had begun, the only way Lyon could have lost their crown was if they lost their six remaining matches and that then-second Toulouse won all of theirs. Well, no sir. We’ll get to that match later, but first Lyon’s. As much as they demand respect (I mean, they did win six titles in a row, a record for Europe’s big five), their last few games have been worthy of a This Is Boring As Hell Award. Three of four have been scoreless draws, and this one against Auxerre was no different. A few great saves from AJA’s keeper Olivier Sorin kept OL off the sheet, but overall unimpressive, from both sides. But it’s not like Lyon care. More on this from Inara at the OL Offside.

As I said before, it was thanks to Rennes that they got to celebrate one day early. The Bretons were hosting second-placed Toulouse. Achille Emana bagged the first goal of the match half an hour in, and what a goal it was. A lob from half eluded Pouplin who had wandered off his line. Briand hit the post for Rennes a few minutes in to the second half, before equalizing from the spot after a Toulouse handball. Rennes went ahead on 75 minutes via a beautiful free-kick from Marveaux, but it was forgotten two minutes later when Fabinho nudged home the 2-2 ball for TFC. One last goal would come, however, in the 85th minute via Cheyrou, who scored in Rooney-esque fashion, after a barrelling run from the impressive Jimmy Briant. Toulouse is now in fourth, aka UEFA Cup, and Rennes is in sixth, aka nothing at all.

Lens, the guys who were a cinch for second place a month ago and underwent quite the suck streak, are back in their rightful spot. Two-nil victors over Le Mans, whose European dreams are pretty much dashed, the Lensois got goals from Eric Carrière and Sidi Keita and are now a point ahead of Bordeaux for the almost top spot.

Behind the top four is half-tiger half-pussycat Marseille, who were hot off a Coupe de France final qualification at the hands of Nantes and hosting the lowly and Ligue 2-bound Troyes. Cissé, who is no longer a leper in the eyes of his team’s fans, got the opener early in the second half thanks to a near-perfect cross from Niang. Troyes equalized ten minutes from time by Jaziri, who just had to tap the ball in when Carrasso pushed away a shot right into his feet. Five minutes later however, Modeste M’Bami came to the rescue and blasted a long-range shot that deflected off a defender and gave OM the win. With 49 points, OM are now in fifth.

Bordeaux, percieved by many (including myself) as a drab and boring side, boosted their chances of returning to the Champions League on Sunday thanks to a 2-0 over Saint-Étienne, on goals from Fernando and Obertan.

All is looking better in the nation’s capital now, with PSG well clear of the red zone, even moreso after their thrashing of Nantes by the paltry score of four goals to none. Pauleta bagging a brace and Luyindula adding the fourth were no match for Jérôme Rothen’s cracker late in the first half. Paris are now 15th, six clear of the bottom three.

Other scores: Nancy 1-0 Valenciennes; Monaco 3-1 Lille; Sedan 1-1 Nice; Sochaux 1-1 Lorient