Reviews and Previews

We had a full slate of action on Wednesday in Ligue 1, some entertaining affairs if I do say so. I enjoyed a Lyon victory over a resurgent Lorient, as the league leaders looked to return to their devasting self. I also was delighted to see Lens and Lille pick up wins in their bid to move up the table. Yet again, only one score-less draw, Caen and Auxerre (Who would have guessed that?), as Ligue 1 continues to provide goals aplenty (compared to last year or even the first half of this year at some points…). Here are all the scores:

01/23 Valenciennes 1 - 2 Lens
01/23 Caen 0 - 0 Auxerre
01/23 Lille 3 - 1 Le Mans
01/23 Lyon 2 - 0 Lorient
01/23 Monaco 1 - 0 Sochaux
01/23 PSG 3 - 0 Metz
01/23 Rennes 1 - 1 Nice
01/23 Strasbourg 2 - 0 Toulouse
01/23 AS Nancy Lorraine 1 - 1 Marseille

Review
The Nancy Boys continue to fall behind in the title chase, as was eventually to happen. It seems their solid defensive abilities are eluding them while their goal scoring continues to remain meager, getting a goal off a strange handball from a “backpass” on Mandana, Brison slotting home from less then 6 yards out. The low scoring continued for them which means a whole lot of draws, this time against Marseille who got a late winner from Zidanerrrr Samir Nasri. Here are those highlights:

Doesnt Samir looks so calm and cool when standing there with the TV reporters, leanin against the wall, hat backwards, lookin at his feet, waiting to talk. Kids a star. (Editors Note: When I say kid, I mean Samir and I are the same age, which makes his career all the more engrossing)

Next in the highlights reel is the Lyon match. Inara covers these pretty well, so I never need to say much, but the two new signings, Crosas and Delgado played, as well as my favorite lanky center back Sandy Paillot. Congrats Sandy! Lyon were foiled more by the frame of the goal at the Gerland then by Lorient’s defense, as Benzema and Fred showered Audard with great shots. Ben Arfa hit a nice one, as did Benzema, and everyone is talking about how good Fred looked once again. Ut Oh, look out Manchester United.

Ben Arfa is a canidate for goal of the week.

Lille got three goals from Mirallas (hooray, all those shots and finally a goal!), Obraniak and Cabaye. Le Mans have now lost two straight after eliminating Lyon from the Coup de la Ligue, things dont look good for them as they slide away from a European place:

Obraniak’s is without a doubt goal of the week, I am not taking any votes on that one. And Cabaye with another free kick, Lille are whipping in to shape, a little more consistency and they may surge up the table.

Also, PSG won again! At home? Yeah. Against Metz? Yeah. Ohh, well a win is a win, and they now sit in 12th, but on 3 points above 18th Auxerre. Goals as follows:

Wait…Rothen for goal of the week too! That was impressive as well, a real screamer.

So the canidates for goal of the week are Obraniak, Rothen and Hatem Ben Arfa. Vote now.

Preview
Alright, so this weekend we have the following games:

01/26 11:10 ET Lille VS. PSG
01/26 14:00 ET Auxerre VS. AS Nancy Lorraine
01/26 14:00 ET Le Mans VS. Monaco
01/26 14:00 ET Lens VS. Strasbourg
01/26 14:00 ET Marseille VS. Caen
01/26 14:00 ET Metz VS. Rennes
01/26 14:00 ET Sochaux VS. Valenciennes
01/26 14:00 ET Toulouse VS. Nice
01/27 12:00 ET Lorient VS. Bordeaux
01/27 14:55 ET St Etienne VS. Lyon

A derbi for Lyon-St Etienne, thats the game of the weekend, on Sunday night. Also, look for Lille and Lens to try to keep the momentum going while Le Mans will look to stop the slide at home to Monaco. Other then that, the run of the mill matches, but expect goals and great play from another Ligue 1 weekend Progamme. Later

Category: France Ligue 1

Tags: France Ligue 1, Tag Index

Subscribe   The Offside RSS Feeds

Print

Share