FC GRONINGEN – NEC

Pronostico: 1

Quota: 1,85

Risultato: 0-2

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PARIS SAINT GERMAIN – GRENOBLE

Pronostico: 1

Quota: 1,40

Risultato: 4-0

Après Jérémy Toulalan dimanche à Monaco (1-1), l’OL pourrait enregistrer, mercredi à l’occasion de la venue de Montpellier, le retour dans le groupe de Mathieu Bodmer. Absent depuis le 26 septembre pour cause de douleurs aux adducteurs, puis d’un coup reçu aux ischio-jambiers, l’ancien Lillois est opérationnel, selon Claude Puel. Ce lundi, il a participé normalement à la séance en compagnie des remplaçants de la veille, dont Toulalan.

Concernant ce dernier, qui a joué un gros quart d’heure à Monaco, l’entraîneur lyonnais indique qu’il n’a pas ressenti de douleurs après le match. « Pour débuter, il était un peu juste. On verra pour mercredi », précise Puel, qui devra encore se passer d’Ederson, blessé au mollet et de nouveau forfait. Cleber Anderson et François Clerc figurent également à l’infirmerie. Il est déjà prévu que le Brésilien retouche le ballon début janvier.

L’Equipe.fr



Legend:

Green (Top 2): Qualify for European Champions’ League Group Stages

Lt. Green (3rd): Qualify for European Champions’ League Play-off Round

Blue (4th): Qualify for Europa League Play-off round

Lt. Blue (5th): Qualify for Europa League 3rd Qualifying Round

* – A 2nd club gets a qualifying berth for the Europa League Play-off round by virtue of winning the Coupe de France (provided they haven’t qualified through league placings; the entry would then go to the cup runner-up [or to the highest placing cup side that hasn't already qualified if both cup final participants are European qualifiers])

Red (18th, 19th, 20th): Relegation to Ligue 2

Quel triste Olympique Lyonnais ! Opposés à l’AS Monaco au Stade Louis-II pour le compte de la 18e journée de Ligue 1, les Rhodaniens n’ont pu qu’accrocher le point du résultat nul (1-1) contre une formation de la Principauté qui regrettera longtemps ses occasions manquées. Pourtant, l’OL avait ouvert la marque par Bastos (22e) mais Park a finalement égalisé sur une volée parfaite (34e). Et Lyon a oublié son panache de ses années glorieuses pour aller chercher un succès. Dans ces conditions, l’OL et ses supporters peuvent se satisfaire de ce point du nul et même se féliciter d’une excellente 4e place à dix points de Bordeaux. Les temps changent…

Avec la 14e défense de Ligue 1, que peut donc espérer l’Olympique Lyonnais dans ce championnat ? Certainement pas de concurrencer Bordeaux ou Marseille dans la quête d’un titre de champion de France. Dans un habituel 4-3-3 avec Lisandro en pointe, l’OL avait pourtant réussi à prendre l’avantage contre Monaco. Mais pour la 3e fois de la saison, Lyon s’est de nouveau fait reprendre par son adversaire d’un soir…

Lisandro, intermittent du spectacle

Absent contre Boulogne-sur-Mer mercredi soir après un choc avec Cédric Carrasso lors de la réception des Girondins de Bordeaux, Lisandro Lopez est pourtant le premier à se mettre en action dans cette ultime rencontre de la 18e journée. Au contact avec Puygrenier à l’entrée de la surface, l’Argentin se dégage sur son contrôle du droit avant de frapper du gauche au-dessus de la transversale (4e). L’entame de match est cependant bien à l’avantage des Lyonnais sur une pelouse qui ne leur a guère réussi lors des huit dernières années avec seulement deux succès pour un nul et cinq revers.

Organisé en 4-2-3-1 avec le seul Park en pointe, l’ASM évolue trop bas en première période pour contrarier le collectif lyonnais. Bastos sème alors la zizanie sur la gauche de l’attaque rhodanienne mais son centre en retrait au second poteau ne trouve pas preneur (9e). Dans l’entrejeu, Gonalons, préféré à Toulalan (de retour après une blessure aux adducteurs), règne en maître en compagnie de Makoun. Nenê essaie bien de perforer sur l’aile droite mais se fait reprendre après une course de 60 mètres par un Boumsong appliqué et concentré en couverture (12e). Au quart d’heure de jeu, Claude Puel et ses hommes contrôlent le match.

Évoluant essentiellement dans leur propre moitié de terrain, les joueurs de la Principauté laissent les Gones développer leur jeu et Gonalons prend ses responsabilités sur une frappe lointaine complètement dévissée (17e). Celle-ci a au moins le mérite de faire sortir une défense monégasque craignant les accélérations de Lisandro en pointe. Fautif sur un tacle mal négocié sur Nenê, Gonalons permet à Mollo de s’excentrer côté gauche pour le premier centre devant le but gardé par Lloris (20e). Le portier lyonnais n’est toutefois pas inquiété et passe un début de soirée tranquille. Dans le but adverse, Stéphane Ruffier n’est pas rassuré quand Michel Bastos se présente pour frapper un coup franc à 35 mètres. Le Brésilien trouve ainsi l’ouverture sur un missile sol/air du gauche du plus bel effet (22e). La réplique des Asémistes est trop timide. En crochetant Cris, Park est ainsi bloqué par Boumsong après un dribble trop long (24e).

Park, le prince de Louis-II

Après la demi-heure de jeu, Monaco se décide enfin à passer la seconde pour inquiéter Hugo Lloris. L’ancien Niçois dégage d’abord un corner des deux poings (30e) avant de voir Makoun le suppléer d’un bon coup de tête, toujours sur corner (31e). L’OL recule mais l’ASM est encore trop imprécise dans ses offensives. La rencontre prend en tout cas une autre envergue et Bastos, passé sur le flanc droit, enroule un centre parfait pour la déviation de Cris au second poteau. Makoun se jette pour placer une tête plongeante mais Ruffier est à la parade (32e). Calmée mais loin d’avoir abdiqué, la formation monégasque se relance sur une erreur d’appréciation d’Hugo Lloris, décidé à boxer un ballon sur un coup franc de Nenê. Le Rhodanien rate son intervention et Traoré remise pour Park qui ajuste une volée parfaitement équilibrée et gagnante (35e).

Spectaculaire à défaut d’être réellement méritée, cette réalisation a au moins le mérite de remettre les deux équipes sur un pied d’égalité dans le jeu. Monaco se sent pousser des ailes alors que l’OL craint encore des errements défensifs, entrevus notamment à Lille (4-3) ou contre l’OM à Gerland (5-5). Et Monaco d’appuyer là où ça fait mal avec des accélérations tour à tour de Nenê et Mollo sur l’aile gauche. Alonso décoche une frappe dans un angle fermé mais le portier international est cette fois-ci à la parade en protégeant son premier poteau (40e). Et les techniciens monégasques sont de retour à l’image d’un Yohan Mollo qui tente un coup du foulard. A défaut de le réussir, le milieu gauche, en jambes, prend des risques et tente beaucoup de choses.

Monaco méritait mieux…

Fébrile, la défense lyonnaise se met en danger sur le moindre pressing monégasque. Après la pause, Jean II Makoun et Aly Cissokho perdent des ballons faciles devant Park Chu-Young qui ne trouve toutefois pas ses partenaires dans l’intervalle. En face, l’OL répond toujours par coups de pied arrêtés mais Ruffier est vigilant sur le centre-tir de Pjanic (50e). Yohan Mollo frappe du gauche à l’angle de la surface mais Hugo Lloris se couche en deux temps. Les latéraux rhodaniens peinent en tout cas sur chaque offensive esquissée par Nenê et Mollo, les deux trublions monégasques. Et l’ancien joueur de l’Espanyol se montre encore dangereux sur un coup franc excentré côté gauche (54e). A l’heure de jeu, l’ASM a pris un ascendant mais pas au tableau d’affichage.

Avec Park, le danger n’est jamais très loin et Mollo est tout proche de propulser le ballon au fond des filets sur une tête plongeante (65e). Défensivement, l’OL a plongé depuis l’égalisation. Offensivement, l’ASM est incapable d’en profiter. Mollo est trop court au premier poteau (66e), puis frappe au-dessus de la transversale (67e). Les vagues s’enchaînent sur le but lyonnais, sans succès… Gonalons place une semelle sur Alonso mais Nenê, malgré ses dix buts en championnat, est incapable de doubler la mise sur le coup franc (75e).

Sept fois champion de France, l’OL se décide alors à temporiser avec le retour de Toulalan en lieu et place de Bastos. Au diable donc la victoire, priorité à l’assise défensive. Pour la forme, Lyon se procure les trois dernières occasions du match mais ni Cris, de la tête (80e), ni Lisandro, à deux reprises (82e, 87e), ne troublent la sérénité monégasque. Avec dix points de retard sur Bordeaux, Lyon a définitivement perdu de son lustre d’antan…

Football.fr

Olympique Lyon further undermined their chances of recapturing the Ligue 1 title after a 1-1 draw at Monaco dropped them 10 points behind leaders Girondins Bordeaux on Sunday.

Seven-times champions Lyon, who lost their crown to Bordeaux last May, started well, Brazilian midfielder Michel Bastos putting them ahead with a super angled free kick on 22 minutes.

The home side, however, earned a share of the points when Korean forward Park Chu-young volleyed home a Sebastien Puygrenier headed pass 12 minutes later.

Monaco were clearly the better team in the second half, Lyon looking only a pale shadow of the side who ruled France for seven seasons.

Three goals in the first half an hour against Le Mans gave Lille their fifth win a row and lifted them up to third in the Ligue 1 table.

They might have had more had Florent Balmont not missed a 14th minute penalty, moments after Aurelien Chedjou had put them in front with a header. Gervinho added a second in the 27th minute before Eden Hazard completed the scoring with only 29 minutes gone.

Roy Contout’s late leveller earned Auxerre a point against Toulouse – their third Ligue 1 draw in a row.

Luan had given Toulouse the lead, somewhat against the run of play, with his first Ligue 1 goal as they sought to recover from their midweek Europa League exit. Les Violets looked like holding on until Etienne Didot was dismissed for a second yellow five minutes from time.

ESPNSoccernet.com

Lyon

1. H.Lloris
20. A.Cissokho
13. A.Réveillère
4. J.Boumsong
3. Cris (c.)
17. J.Makoun
19. C.Delgado (59e)
8. M.Pjanic
41. M.Gonalons
7. M.Bastos Fernandes
28. J.Toulalan (74e)
14. S.Govou
18. B.Gomis (85e)
9. L.Lopez

Our Brazilian striker Ilan has been honored as the Runner-up Ligue 1 Goal of the Month for January for his beautifully curved strike against Paris-Saint Germain.  It’s the 3rd month in a row that a Les Vert player has been nominated in the Top 3 in the monthly competition.

The Top 3 for January:

1st Djamel Bakar, AS Monaco FC
2nd Ilan, AS Saint-Étienne
3rd Jean-Michel Lesage, Le Havre AC

*          *         *          *          *          *          *          *          *          *

In minor news reserve Les Verts player, Olivier Boumal has been registered on the 1st team roster wearing the #42 shirt.  Boumal has been very good as a substitute in the Les Verts B squad chipping in a few goals in that role.  It will be very difficult for him to see 1st team action but we’ve registered him on the 1st team as an honor for his play in the reserves & to get more 1st team practice time.

Liverpool F. C. v. Portsmouth F.C. (Saturday)

At the beginning of the season this match must have looked like a mere formality to Liverpool supporters, but now it has become important- for all of the wrong reasons. Should Liverpool lose they could find themselves six points adrift of Tottenham for the EPL’s Europa League spot. Portsmouth are not a good side, but beware- although Portsmouth lost its first two matches under Avram Grant (Manchester United and Aston Villa), they have since gone 1-1-1 with the only loss (2-1) to Chelsea last week. In short, nobody on Merseyside should start counting any chickens. Fun Fact: Portsmouth’s Nwankwo Christian Nwosu Kanu claims to be a pagan. Fun Fact 2: Liverpool’s Alberto Aquilani has played in exactly one EPL match (as a late sub) since signing for the club in August of 2009.

Ross County F.C. v. Airdrie United F.C. (Saturday)

This weekend the Staggies face last place Airdrie and their -17 goal differential. A County victory could bring them into sole possession of second place if Queen of the South slip up against Raith Rovers. There are, however, other important things going on in Dingwall at the moment. Specifically, the club is quietly and consistently signing its best players to two year deals. Michael Gardyne and Paul Lawson have already signed new contracts and negotiations have begun with Richard Brittain. With Paul di Giacomo and Stuart Kettlewell already signed through next season, so it will only take a few more signings to see County’s entire starting eleven back on the field next year. Manager Derek Adams has also signed a contract extension, so he’s got that going for him- which is nice.

Valletta F.C. v. Birkirkara F.C. (Saturday)

Again, not a true “derby,” instead, the capital (Valletta) against the biggest city town (Birkirkara) with bragging rights on the line. Above and beyond that, I’m pretty certain that this is the first match from the Maltese Premier League to be featured in this series. Luckily for us, this match actually has major implications in the league table. Valletta are currently in first place, but only by a point over the Stripes of Birkirkara. Fun Fact: Four of the ten teams in the MPL enter into the relegation playoffs every year- that’s kind of rough. Fun Fact 2: Who is Valletta’s current player/assistant manager? That’s right, Jordi Cruyff. Let’s look at his career “trajectory”: Barcelona, Manchester United (including a one year loan to Celta Vigo), Alaves, Espanyol, Metalurh Donetsk, and Valletta.  Well, at least the weather is nice.

Aston Villa F.C. v. Stoke (Saturday)

Believe it or not, should Villa win and Arsenal draw or lose in their match with Hull, Villa could move up to third place in the EPL. Right now all signs point toward the Villians holding up their end of the bargain- they’ve won their last four matches (in all competitions), whereas Stoke have only won one of their last five league matches. Fun Fact: For those of you keeping track, this weekend will mark Bradley Howard Friedel’s 208^th straight EPL appearance, which leads me to believe that he should still be playing for the USMNT, or that he retired at just the right time to keep his club career rolling along. Fun Fact 2: Stoke City manager Tony Pulis has managed two of the teams for which he was a player- A.F.C. Bournemouth and Gillingham F.C..

Olympique de Marseille v. A.S. Saint-Etienne (Saturday)

A derby? Not exactly. More like two of Ligue 1’s most historically successful teams putting their vastly different “presents” on display. Marseille, winners of eight league titles and currently sitting in second place square-off against Saint-Etienne, winners of ten league titles, but without one since 1981, and currently sitting in one of the league’s three relegation spots. Saint-Etienne have won only one match since the first week of October, so I wouldn’t put any of your hard-earned Francs Euros on them this weekend. Fun Fact: I can’t decide on what to tell you about Saint-Etienne’s nutter of a goalkeeper, Jeremie Janot, so I’ll just show you a picture. Yes, he did take off the mask before the match started, but he played in the rest of his special “uniform.” Watch the video too.

Hibernian F.C. v. Aberdeen F.C. (Saturday)

As you might imagine, if I’m previewing an SPL match in this piece it’s because it has potentially negative ramifications for at least one member of the Old Firm. In this case, I’m hoping that the Hibees win and Celtic and/or Rangers (currently separated by a point) lose so that Hibernian can remain not just in third place, but within striking distance of both teams. A Dundee United win would also keep them in the picture in case either of the Glasgow giants falter in the second half of the SPL season. Aberdeen, well, they’re in sixth place and closer to the bottom of the table than the top. They’re not in danger of being relegated, only disappointed. Fun Fact: The EP “King of the Road” by the Proclaimers features cartoon versions of the identical twins from Leith in in Hibernian tops.

S.B.V. Vitesse v. N.E.C. (Sunday)

Admit it, you’ve been on pins and needles all week just waiting for the Gelderland Derby- well, it’s finally here. As I’m sure you already know, this is a much more important match for N.E.C. than it is for Vitesse. Vitesse are comfortable ensconced in the middle of the Eredivisie and still in contention for a European spot, so no problems there. The Nijmegen side have some problems, however. The Dutch season is half over and they have two wins- two. If it were not for the absolutely abysmal performance of RKC Waalwijk (nine points from seventeen matches), they would be in the automatic relegation spot. Fun Fact: Archaic and foreign versions of “Nijmegen” include Nijmwegen, Nymegen, Nieumeghen, Nigmegen, Nijmejen, Nijmeken, Nijmecen, Nimwegen, Nimega and Nimegue.

S.C. Heerenveen v. F.C. Groningen (Sunday)

Also taking place in the Eredivisie this week is the “Derby of the North” between the Green-White Army of Groningen and the nickname-less club from Friesland. Both clubs are currently mired in the bottom half of the Eredivisie table and are more concerned with avoiding the drop than with earning a place in European football for 2010 (which is saying something considering that there are eight European places set aside for this eighteen team league!), never mind challenging for the league title. Fun Fact: Groningen play in a stadium called “Euroborg”- resistance is futile. Fun Fact: At one point in the mid-1980s, Groningen fielded three English players: Steven Goble, Rob MacDonald, and Paul Mason. Of the three, only Mason played the majority of his career in the U.K..

Hamburger S.V. v. Werder Bremen (Sunday)

I could call this the Nordderby, but I’m going to go with the much more historical “Hanseatic Derby.” You see, the Hanseatic League was a trading alliance among norther European cities that thrived during the late medieval period. Now, personally, I think a “true” Hanseatic Derby would be between F.C. Hansa Rostock (check out their club crest!) and VfB Lubeck, but that’s just me. Anyway, luck for us, the two clubs playing this weekend are level on points, with Bremen holding a +3 goal differential and fifth place. A win and some favorable results elsewhere in the Bundesliga and either of these clubs could move into second place behind Bayer Leverkusen. A loss and either team could fall out of the league’s Europa League positions.

S.L. Benfica v. F.C. Porto (Sunday)

Most nations have their “classic,” and this is Portugal’s. Benfica currently top the Portuguese Liga with a healthy (+16) goal differential over Sporting Braga, while Porto trail both teams by only a single point. All three of these teams are well ahead of the rest of the league, so every match between any two of them will have major implications for the championship as well as for the two Champions League spots (one automatic, one playoff) available in Portugal. Fun Fact: According to Wikipedia, Benfica has six different nicknames, which seems a little excessive to me. Fun Fact 2: Porto have a player named Vitor Hugo Gomes Passos who is currently on loan at Valladolid (he was loaned to Portsmouth last spring and did not play a single match) who calls himself “Pele.” No, really, he does.

Newcastle United v. Middlesbrough F.C. (Sunday)

And finally, perhaps the derby most recognizable to most of our readers- the Tyne-Tess Derby. Some Newcastle fans claim that they have stronger rivalries with Sunderland and Manchester United, but I’m ignoring them until their team is back in the EPL. Which, as it happens, might be next year. Newcastle are currently threatening to run away with the Cola-ship title (they are seven points ahead of West Brom), while Middlesbrough are in eleventh place an in poor form. Fun Fact: There was no player who was more gutty, gritty, feisty, or fiery than current Middlesbrough gaffer Gordon David Strachan, OBE, all 5′6” of him. Fun fact: Because he chose to back out of the Riverside Stadium after he was fired, Gareth Southgate’s nose has not yet cleared the stadium gates. Stay tuned for updates on this story.

A Real Madrid Purchase

Transfers are always the hottest topic over the summer for the footballing world as everyone has an opinion how much any player is worth…and then gets their expectations blown out of the water when a club spends millions more than expected. This summer alone we saw the record breaking transfer of Cristiano Ronaldo from Premier League giants to La Liga giants Real Madrid for a wallet emptying £80m pounds!

Let’s look at who is doing the spending and who is doing the buying. I was surprised by the numbers in a few cases…

Transfer Spending by Country 2009-2010

Top 5 Net Spenders

2009-2010 Season

1. Spain – £206m
2. Germany – £89m
3. Turkey – £36m
4. France – £30m
5. Greece – £15m

Spain

I expected Spain to be at the top due to Real Madrid’s ridiculous spending over the summer. If somehow they didn’t manage to be tops in this category someone would forgive you for thinking that the Enron accounting staff took up jobs in La Liga. Real Madrid accounted for 73% of Spain’s net spending! And CRonaldo’s purchase was 54% of that spending!!!!

League by league: The Primera Division (let’s be honest here, basically Real and Barca) absolutely crushes Segunda in spending terms. Not surprising given the revenue structure.

Germany

Somewhat surprised to find Germany in second. Given the lack of coverage of high profile transfers to the Bundesliga. Quite a heavy net spend of £89m comparatively with other countries.

League by league: The large amount of activity in BLiga1 compared to BLiga2 suggests a large amount of foreign talent coming in. That £97m spent by the top tier certainly didn’t trickle down much with BLiga2 only bringing in £15m in transfer revenue.

Turkey

Turkey??? This one was a complete surprise. I don’t even know what large transfers would account for this. £35m is a lot relative to the size of the market for Turkish football.

League by league: Only one league

France

France had relatively light spending in comparison to the rest and relative to the market. Only £30m leaving the country.

League by league: Of the top 5 France has the smallest deficit in net spending between Top and lower leagues.

Greece

Greece??? This one was also a complete surprise. Same question and comment as for Turkey. I don’t even know what large transfers would account for this. £15m is a lot relative to the size of the market for Greek football.

League by league: Only one league

and most interestingly,

England

Who amazingly have only net spendings of £945,180 on footballers this year. I think this is as much a reflection of the financial crisis as it is on the shift of footballing talent around the world.

League by league: Even more interesting is the amount of money the Championship makes off of player transfers

Conclusions

Spain just spent the GDP of a small nation on footballers. There are some ambitious owners in Turkey and Greece and English clubs are either very conservative or just potless.

…And there’s a hell of a lot of talent in Argentina and Brazil.

Reader Questions: Who did Turkey and Greece buy to rack up such large deficits??? Respond in the comments!

All data from Transfermarkt.

Here are all the videos of today’s Ligue 1 goals and highlights!

Le Mans 1 – 0 Grenoble

Nancy 2 – 0 Nice

Monaco 1 – 0 Rennes

Montpellier 0 – 1 Bordeaux

PSG 1 – 1 Lens

Lorient 1 – 2 Marseille

Lyon 2 – Boulogne

TUESDAY’S GAME
Valenciennes 0 – 0 Auxerre

Les Lyonnais ont enfin renoué avec le succès en Ligue 1 mais que ce fut dur. Contre le promu boulonnais à Gerland (2-0), les Rhodaniens ont dû attendre la seconde période pour ouvrir la marque par l’intermédiaire du Bosnien Miralem Pjanic d’une frappe lointaine (72e) et creuser l’écart par César Delgado (90e). Les protégés de Claude Puel ne respirent toutefois pas la sérénité et ce résultat ne devrait pas satisfaire des supporters qui avaient déployé des banderoles avant le début du match.

“Ce n’est pas un grand Lyon ce soir”. La phrase de Damien Périnelle à la pause plantait bien le décor pour l’OL, lors de cette 11e journée reportée de Ligue 1. Cueillis à froid par un Stade de Gerland abandonné et surtout muet, les Gones n’ont pas été des plus tranchants. Les “Puel démission” et les sifflets raisonnant dans l’enceinte rhodanienne pour chaque geste de Jean II Makoun ayant également oeuvré dans le refroidissement des locaux. Sans oublier l’absence de dernière minute de Lisandro Lopez en pointe, souffrant toujours de la hanche après son contact avec Cédric Carrasso lors du Lyon-Bordeaux (0-1) de dimanche dernier.

Du coup, on retrouvait Bafétimbi Gomis à la pointe de l’attaque, soutenu par les deux Sud-Américains Michel Bastos et César Delgado. Le tout pour un trio loin de créer le danger lors d’un premier acte bien insipide. Recroquevillés en défense, l’entame de match des hommes de Guyot était de qualité. Toujours au pressing sur le porteur du ballon, Yoann Lachor et les siens ne laissaient que peu d’espaces aux septuples champions de France. Il n’était donc pas étonnant d’enregistrer la seule occasion de Michel Bastos dans le premier acte (41e), suite à un centre en retrait parfait de Réveillère.

Le but refusé à Périnelle

Visiblement mis sous pression par les enjeux comptables et l’abandon des supporters, les Gones allaient tout de même se réveiller au retour des vestiaires. Acculés dans leurs derniers retranchements et concédant un nombre de coners impressionnant, les promus manquaient de craquer sur cette tête croisée de Boumsong (50e), bien repoussée par un Bedenik vigilant. Dans la foulée, Bastos retrouvait sa créativité sud-américaine et proposait aux spectateurs une demi-volée de l’extérieur du pied magnifique (57e). Le tir ingénieux frôlait lui la lucarne du dernier rempart boulonnais.

Alors que la domination de l’OL était à son apogée, le match aurait pu (dû) basculer dans l’autre sens. Sur une contre-attaque parfaitement jouée par les Nordistes, Périnelle était lancé en profondeur et trompait facilement Lloris en un contre un du plat du pied (61e). Laurent Guyot exultait… pour quelques instants. Le temps pour le juge assistant de refuser cette réalisation pour un hors-jeu… inexistant.

L’exploit de Lloris

Pas franchement malheureux sur ce coup, les Rhodaniens ne l’étaient pas non plus sur le but de Pjanic, profitant d’un ballon contré de Bastos pour placer un plat du pied imparable à l’entrée de la surface (72e, 1-0). Visiblement soulagés par ce but, les Lyonnais reculaient pourtant dangereusement et auraient pu concéder l’égalisation sans ce nouvel exploit de Lloris. En un contre un face à Karuru, le gardien de but sortait une parade internationale, sortant en un éclair dans les pieds de l’attaquant (85e).

Boulogne avait laissé passer sa chance et Lyon allait en profiter. Pas sur ce manqué incroyable de Delgado, tout seul face à Bedenik mais pas assez courageux pour tirer. Sa passe en retrait était qui plus est interceptée (90e). Ce n’était que partie remise pour l’Argentin, auteur une nouvelle fois d’une très bonne sortie. Avec Govou et Tafer entrés en jeu, l’OL puisait dans ses ressources et doublait la mise sur un service en or du jeune attaquant pour “Chelito” qui n’avait plus qu’à pousser dans le but vide (90+2e, 2-0). Dans la douleur, Lyon renoue avec le succès mais sans se rassurer. Un sentiment stigmatisé au niveau comptable, puisque les Gones restent toujours à huit points du leader bordelais.

Football.fr

Second-half strikes from Miralem Pjanic and Cesar Delgado earned Lyon victory to end a run of five Ligue 1 matches without a win.

Pjanic struck after 72 minutes and Delgado netted in second-half stoppage time as Lyon claimed an eighth win of the season.

It was Boulogne’s 11th defeat as they continue their battle with relegation.

Lyon were on top throughout, but had to be patient in their pursuit of a goal.

After 21 minutes Bafetimbi Gomis freed Michel Bastos at the edge of the penalty area.

The Brazilian found Kim Kallstrom with an innovative back heel, but Boulogne goalkeeper Jean-Francois Bedenik got down low to make the save.

Pjanic then found Bastos with a corner, but his header struck the crossbar before going out of play.

Bastos drilled in a free-kick shortly afterwards, but his shot was saved by Bedenik.

The Brazilian was proving to be Lyon’s greatest threat and he shot narrowly wide from Anthony Reveillere’s cross.

Boulogne had an opportunity to take a surprise half-time lead but Jeremy Blayac shot wide.

Bedenik saved from Jean-Alain Boumsong early in the second period before Delgado was also denied by the Boulogne goalkeeper.

Kallstrom had Bedenik beaten with a shot soon after, but defender Guillaume Ducatel cleared off the line.

Bastos shot wide from the edge of the area and Kallstrom had an effort saved by Bedenik before Lyon finally found the back of the net 18 minutes from time.

Delgado’s cross found Bastos, whose shot rebounded to Pjanic to prod in.

A second arrived after 91 minutes when Sidney Govou and Yannis Tafer combined to set up Delgado for a tap-in.

ESPNSoccernet.com

1. H.Lloris
20. A.Cissokho
13. A.Réveillère
4. J.Boumsong
17. J.Makoun
6. K.Kallstrom
14. S.Govou (64e)
41. M.Gonalons
8. M.Pjanic
7. M.Bastos Fernandes
32. L.Gassama (89e)
19. C.Delgado
18. B.Gomis
29. Y.Tafer (75e)

Legend:

Green (Top 2): Qualify for European Champions’ League Group Stages

Lt. Green (3rd): Qualify for European Champions’ League Play-off Round

Blue (4th): Qualify for Europa League Play-off round

Lt. Blue (5th): Qualify for Europa League 3rd Qualifying Round

* – A 2nd club gets a qualifying berth for the Europa League Play-off round by virtue of winning the Coupe de France (provided they haven’t qualified through league placings; the entry would then go to the cup runner-up [or to the highest placing cup side that hasn't already qualified if both cup final participants are European qualifiers])

Red (18th, 19th, 20th): Relegation to Ligue 2

O Lyon, do meio-campista brasileiro Ederson, enfrenta, nesta quarta-feira, o time do Boulogne, em jogo adiado, válido pela 11 rodada do Campeonato Francês. Os heptacampeões vão em busca de uma vitória para retomarem o crescimento na tabela. Atualmente, o time do brasileiro está em nono lugar na Ligue 1. Já o Boulogne, é o 19º colocado.

O camisa 10 acredita que a partida, que será disputada no estádio Gerland, domínios do Lyon vai ajudar ganhar uma força a mais com o apoio da torcida.
“Precisamos do apoio dos torcedores nesse jogo. Jogaremos em casa e a nossa torcida sempre faz uma festa muito bonita. Essa força será um diferencial a nosso favor. Depois desse jogo, contra o Boulogne, vamos atuar fora. Como não queremos perder pontos, vamos com tudo em busca dessa vitória em casa para construirmos uma seqüência de bons resultados”, comentou.

Questionado sobre a chance de pontuar contra o Boulogne, o jogador comentou: “Temos que aproveitar os jogos que são contra equipes que no estão tão bem no campeonato. É uma possibilidade de crescer na competição. São pontos que poucos times devem perder e quem não pontuar, vai acabar sentido falta disso depois”. Em 16 jogos, o Boulogne tem apenas três vitórias e marcou 13 vezes. Já o Lyon, que fez o mesmo número de jogos, conta com sete triunfos e 27 gols marcados.

Ainda falando sobre o final da campanha dos tricolores franceses em 2009, o jogador revelou: “Espero que a nossa equipe atue bem e vença seus próximos três desafios. Assim, poderemos terminar 2009 com mais tranquilidade e começar 2010 com força total, numa posição ainda melhor no Campeonato Francês”.

Apesar do Lyon ocupar a nona posição, não está tão distante dos primeiros colocados. A diferença entre o terceiro colocado e o time de Ederson é de apenas dois pontos.

ESPN Brasil

What you missed while the Hubble telescope was looking at space jellyfish…

• Ryan Giggs that Sir Alex Ferguson will outlast him at Manchester United.
• The Japanese FA doesn’t agree with national team manager Takeshi Okada that Japan will get to the World Cup semifinals.
• Sven-Göran Eriksson has lawyered up on Notts County to recover a six-figure sum he’s owed.
• Barcelona striker Keirrison isn’t coming to Liverpool on loan in January.
• St. Etienne have sacked manager Alain Perrin; the Ligue 1 side is fourth from bottom in France.
• Harry Redknapp thinks that Liverpool should’ve signed Michael Owen when they had the chance.
• Arsenal has refused to release Cesc Fabregas to play for Catalonia.
• Gennaro Gattuso has signed a new deal with AC Milan, ending speculation that he was bound for Manchester City in January.
• Jürgen Klinsmann is heading back to the U.S. with his family eight months after he was sacked as manager at Bayern.

Every year I force myself to sit down and watch the NCAA Men’s Division I “College Cup” final.* I say “force” because I hate the men’s collegiate game at the D-I level. I find that “big time” men’s college soccer lacks all of the things that I love about the Beautiful Game- technical ability, creativity, intelligence. Don’t get me wrong, I appreciate a hard, well-timed tackle or a counter-attacking team that grinds out results, but I especially like players who get by- or even excel- based on their hustle, will, and passion for the game even if their technical or athletic ability might be lacking. The players at this level are not without talent and the best of them will show just how much they have as they become professionals domestically or internationally, but there’s a problem.

The men’s game at this level might as well be played with a laced ball, goals made of wood, and players wearing actual studded boots. All movement is done at a sprint- I don’t think any player at this level has ever “floated” or “ghosted” into position. The aim of every tackle is not to win the ball, but to win the ball and inflict as much physical harm on the opponent as possible without being cautioned. The players complain about each and every call- it’s like watching an endless loop of Paul O’Neill complaining about balls and strikes. Finally, with a few exceptions, there seem to be eleven “I’s” in every “team.” That’s probably unfair to the goalkeepers and defenders, but sometimes the blinding rage I feel each time a player decides the best thing to do is not to pass, but to dribble into pressure causes me to generalize. I think I know why this is the case.

I think I know the reason that these problems plague what should be the best non-professional soccer our country has to offer. The reason is simple: the only bigger jackasses than male Division I soccer players are male high school lacrosse players. Again, I apologize if my rage is causing me to make sweeping generalizations- no matter how accurate they may be. These teams seem to be made up of players- at least those born and bred in the USA- who were raised in the suburbs, who think “formal attire” means wearing a tie and putting on their “good” flip-flops, and who drive around campus playing Dave Matthews (Jack Johnson, Jason Mraz…you get the idea) at full volume. Case in point, UVA’s starting sophomore defender, Hunter Jumper- seriously, that’s his name, no “nickname” involved.

Those reading this post had one of two reactions to that last sentence. You either thought, “Yeah, what’s wrong with that name?” or “Why did Stan and Judy** do that to him?!” I actually had to go to the UVA athletics website to confirm that I wasn’t mishearing JPD every time he mentioned Jumper’s name, because the first few times I heard it I thought, “No, that can’t be what he said.” Why all the fuss? Well, because a “hunter jumper” is a kind of horse, one that, well, hunts and jumps. This beyond pretentious and akin to having the last name “Tucket” and naming your daughter “Nan,” or having the last name “Collar” and naming your son “Popped.” For the record, young Mr. Jumper is the product of a private day school in suburban Dallas. Also, he played well in the final, probably UVA’s best defender on the day. Well, enough of my very special brand of judgmental socialism, on to other topics raised by the College Cup- starting with who won, and how!

• Inevitably, the match went to penalty kicks- is it a rule now that all finals in all competitions must do this?- and it was UVA that won its sixth championship. I kind of felt for Akron- their only “non-win” this year was the draw in the semi-finals of the tournament (they won on penalty kicks) and it would have been the school’s first national championship in any sport. They can take heart in the fact that they only started one senior and three juniors in the finals.
• Why it always pays to read something twice- it turns out that UVA defender Ole Hengelbrock is from Hilter, Germany, not Hitler, Germany!
• Akron’s Teal Bunbury is the son of former longtime Martimo (Portugal) standout and Canadian international Alex Bunbury.
• Of the last 18 men’s College Cups half have been played in North Carolina, including three of the last five at WakeMed Soccer park in Cary. I realize that there are several colleges and universities in North Carolina that have strong soccer traditions, but how about spreading things around a little? A full-size pitch and seating for 5,000-7,000 spectators seem to be the only criteria- well, that and the chance of good weather.
• Akron’s Zarek Valentin is the younger brother of the L.A. Galaxy’s Julian Valentin. In the last two years, however, Julian has played exactly 54 more minutes for the Galaxy than I have. All kidding aside, I believe this is the case because he played most of the 2008 season in MLS’ now-defunct reserve league and he has been playing for the U-23 USMNT in 2009.
• Akron’s Darlington Nagbe is the son of Joe Thunder Armstrong Nagbe (no nicknames involved here either!) who played in the top division in France (Monaco and Nice) and Greece (PAOK Thessaloniki, Panionios, and PAS Giannina) while captaining the Liberian National Team. It will also come as no surprise that “Thunder Armstrong” also played for three Liberian teams when he was staring his career, Young Survivors, Invincible Eleven, and Mighty Barolle. I’m beginning to sense something about Liberia…
• It says something- I’ll leave it up to you to decide “what”- about MLS and/or NCAA Division I Men’s soccer that only one player (Ross LaBauex of UVA) has been invited to the league’s “2020 Adidas Draft Combine” in January.

Wow, was this the site’s first post dedicated solely to college soccer?

*I usually watch- and enjoy- the women’s final each year but I was not able to this year.

**Thank you, UVA website!

Marouane Chamakh struck late to give Ligue 1 leaders Girondins Bordeaux a 1-0 win at Olympique Lyon on Sunday that put their title rivals eight points behind.

Marouane Chamakh heads home the winner

Morocco striker Chamakh headed home with four minutes left as champions Bordeaux extended their lead to four points over Montpellier, who earlier cemented second place with a 1-0 victory at Toulouse with a 10th-minute Souleymane Camara strike.

Bordeaux have 34 points from 16 games before travelling on Wednesday to promoted Montpellier, who have 30 points and one game in hand.

“We did not let them gain confidence in the first half,” Bordeaux coach Laurent Blanc told French TV channel Canal Plus. “We could have settled for a draw but we play games to win them.”

Lyon defender Cris, angry with team mates, said: “We lack character on the pitch. If you want to play at Lyon, you have to show something else.”

Bordeaux centre back Lamine Sane, deputising for the injured Michael Ciani, did an excellent job keeping Lisandro Lopez at bay in his first top flight game.

Bordeaux keeper Cedric Carrasso did not have much work until the 76th minute when he parried away a sudden, powerful 30-metre drive by midfielder Maxime Gonalons.

Both teams looked resigned to a dull draw when Chamakh surged at the far post to net the winner from a Yoann Gourcuff cross.

Lyon, who have not won in their past five league games, slipped to ninth on 26 points.

Brazilian forward Tulio de Melo struck twice to help Lille thrash Monaco 4-0 away. The northern side clinched their sixth win from their last seven league games to move up to third on 28 points from 17 matches.

Elsewhere, Peguy Luyindula, Stephane Sessegnon and Mevlut Erding found the back of the net before the break as Paris St Germain beat strugglers St Etienne 3-0 at home.

PSG gained one spot up to 10th on 25 points, while St Etienne remained 17th, three points above the relegation zone.

Sochaux beat Grenoble 1-0 at home, handing the bottom side their 12th defeat of the season.

ESPNSoccernet.com

C’est une vraie crise du côté du Stade de Gerland. D’une médiocrité affligeante dans le jeu, l’OL a été dominé (0-1) par des Girondins de Bordeaux opportunistes et vainqueurs grâce à un but de Marouane Chamakh en fin de match (85e). Ce choc au sommet de la 17e journée de la Ligue 1, dimanche, fut d’un spectacle peu évident, mais le leader aquitain est parvenu à prendre de l’avance et notamment 8 points sur son adversaire du soir. La formation de Claude Puel, elle, enchaîne un 5e match sans victoire en championnat et se retrouve 9e. Le film du match

Huit longueurs d’avance ! A trois journées de la trêve hivernale, les Girondins sont parvenus à prendre leurs distances sur l’OL, dimanche soir, en clôture de la 17e journée de Ligue 1. Le champion en titre, qui va mercredi à Montpellier, le dauphin avec 4 unités de moins, est en train de filer vers un second titre. Sans vraiment être étincelant. Juste en profitant de la faiblesse navrante d’un Lyon en pleine crise, une semaine après sa défaite 4-3 à Lille et qui vient d’enchaîner son 5e match sans victoire en championnat.

Le Stade de Gerland a donc pu savourer plus d’une heure de jeu un spectacle indigne d’un choc entre deux gros bras de l’élite. Et Claude Puel va sans doute en prendre pour son grade. Si son équipe développe un aussi pauvre football, c’est probablement de sa faute. Les Lyonnais avaient-ils une stratégie précise en entrant sur la pelouse ? Peut-être de se faire dominer pour marquer sur un exploit personnel de Lisandro Lopez, aligné seul en pointe (Gomis débutant sur le banc). Un prétendant au titre n’a pas le droit d’aborder un match si important de cette manière. Mais Puel, encore bien marqué par son époque lilloise, gâche depuis plus d’un an les rencontres de l’OL. Les supporters lyonnais ne sont pas aveugles.

Lyon, un collectif inexistant

Pour accompagner l’attaquant argentin ce dimanche soir, Bastos avait été placé à droite, pour une prestation fantomatique, alors que Källström était inutile dans un rôle d’animateur gauche. Seul Pjanic donnait du rythme, mais les mouvements dans le camp adverse étaient trop insuffisants pour pouvoir inquiéter Carrasso. Au terme toutefois d’un bon mouvement, Réveillère centrait pour Lisandro, libre de tout marquage mais dont la tête n’était pas assez puissante pour inquiéter le portier visiteur (9e). Les Gones s’énervaient même en fin de première période, avec des charges agressives engendrant des avertissements pour Cris (31e), Källström (36e) et Gonalons (37e).

Bordeaux, peut-être surpris par tant de passivité, a pris confiance durant la première période avant de dominer la rencontre après le retour des vestiaires. Une première timide réaction, avec une belle tête de Chamakh captée par Lloris (29e), ne dissimulait pas une maladresse étonnante dans la production du jeu. Meneur de jeu dans l’habituel 4-2-3-1 des grands rendez-vous de Blanc, Gourcuff était d’une rare médiocrité dans ses prises de balle, avant un réveil en début de seconde période. Seul Fernando rayonnait (comme souvent) dans l’entrejeu. Le Brésilien réveillait la partie d’une puissante volée lointaine (58e).

Chamakh méritant

Les Girondins étaient alors meilleurs dans la conservation du ballon et augmentaient enfin l’intensité des débats. Les espaces se créaient. Planus devait rattraper in-extremis Pjanic dans la surface, qui avait fait la différence dans l’axe (54e). Gonalons adressait un missile mais Carrasso était à la parade (76e). Les changements des deux côtés redonnaient ainsi de l’intérêt à ce choc. Michel Bastos quittait logiquement le pré, remplacé par Delgado (55e), alors que Gomis prenait le relais de Pjanic (72e) pour épauler Lisandro aux avant-postes. Blanc, lui, lançait le premier Gouffran et Jussiê, en lieu et place de Wendel et Plasil (63e).

Et Jussiê s’arrachait justement dans la surface pour remettre en retrait à Chamakh, qui ratait incroyablement sa reprise (78e). L’international marocain voyait ensuite une tête, sur un centre de Chalmé, maîtrisée par Lloris (80e), mais une énième tentative, toujours du crâne, allait se montrer victorieuse. Chamakh décalait Gourcuff dans la surface, dont le centre était repris dans les airs par le premier. Lloris repoussait le ballon… mais derrière sa ligne et Bordeaux pouvait jubiler (0-1, 85e). Les Lyonnais se jetaient forcément à l’abordage mais les ultimes tentatives étaient tout aussi grotesques que depuis le début de la rencontre. Si ce choc fut triste en spectacle, l’OL, 9e, est lui bien à sa place.

Football.fr

Lyon

1. H.Lloris
20. A.Cissokho
13. A.Réveillère
4. J.Boumsong
3. Cris (c.)
17. J.Makoun
6. K.Kallstrom
29. Y.Tafer (88e)
8. M.Pjanic
18. B.Gomis (72e)
41. M.Gonalons
7. M.Bastos Fernandes
19. C.Delgado (55e)
9. L.Lopez

Manchester United F.C. v. Aston Villa F.C. (Saturday)

Despite being a bit shaky in their pieced-together back line, United actually looked pretty good against Wolfsburg on Tuesday- Michael Owen especially. The spate of injuries at the moment may be making things a little difficult for SAF, but he’s certainly learning a lot about his fringe players as a result, and most of what he’s learned has been good. As for Aston Villa, a win on Saturday and a Tottenham draw or loss and the Villians can join the “big boys” in the EPL’s top four. Fun Fact: You hear a lot of complaints about American ownership of English teams, but you don’t hear much of it coming from Villa Park, do you? Fun Fact 2: Sol Campbell- just because you say you’d be happy to help United through their crisis doesn’t mean they are going to sign you. Update: I was right.

Sunderland A.F.C. v. Portsmouth F.C. (Saturday)

I chose this match because I wanted throw my support behind Portsmouth and their, “WE’RE NOT GOING INTO ADMINISTRATION AND IF WE SAY IT LOUDLY ENOUGH YOU HAVE TO BELIEVE IT!!” campaign. All I can conclude from the series of public statements and press releases the club has released in the past few days is that, Portsmouth are about to go into administration. As for Sunderland, this is one of those matches they need to win if they want to at least move to the top of the mid-table log jam and start to threaten Citeh and Liverpool for a European spot- not that either of those are even that high up the table at present. Fun Fact: Portsmouth’s top scorer in the league is Aruna Dindane with 4 goals- but three of those came in a single game against mighty Wigan.  Yikes.

Ross County F.C. v. Dunfermline Athletic F.C. (Saturday)

County are healthy, in form after a good midweek win against Greenock Morton, and the message boards are all a-buzz regarding a signing or two when the transfer window opens in January. The most interesting of which is a return to Victoria Park by Andy Barrowman, who scored 24 times in 33 matches for the Staggies before moving to neighbors and arch-rivals Inverness Caledonian Thistle, where he has scored 2 goals in 30 matches. Dunfermline are four points behind County and will be hoping to rejoin the promotion hopefuls with a win. Fun Fact: Dunfermline chairman John Yorkston would have the club play on a synthetic surface (they have in the past) if the SFA and SFL would allow it. This, of course, means that Mr. Yorkston is probably the Devil.

F.C. Twente ‘65 v. NAC Breda (Saturday)

I know it’s only “the Netherlands,” but shouldn’t Steve McLaren be getting just a little more publicity for what he’s done since taking charge at Twente? Since taking over the club has gone 48-16-13 and are a good bet to win the Eredivisie this year- they’ve yet to use a match in 2009-2010. He achieved these results despite fielding a team whose ten Dutch players have earned a total of 3 international caps. Breda, conversely, are a team full of players with extensive international experience, like Joonas Kolkka, who has featured 95 times- for Finland. Fun Fact: Breda midfielder Donny Gorter is the son of former New England Revolution midfielder Edwin Gorter. I can’t believe I knew that off the top of my head. I think I may need to get out more…

Nottingham Forest F.C. v. Swansea City A.F.C. (Saturday)

I can think of at least two reasons to discuss this Cola-ship match. First, there exists the possibility that both Welsh teams in the Championship- Swansea and Cardiff- could find themselves in the EPL next season. Second, another team is in the promotion mix and it’s the team I’d most like to see back in the top flight- Nottingham Forest. Why? That’s easy, they belong there. They’ve been successful both domestically and in Europe, have a history full of outstanding players (Baxter, McKinlay, O’Neill, Shilton, Clough, and Pearce to name only a few), and manager Billy Davies isn’t as bad as his Derby County buffoons made him look a couple of years ago. Fun Fact: Swansea manager Paulo Sousa once played in a Sporting midfield with Luis Figo and Krassimir Balakov- wow.

Real Madrid C.F. v. Valencia C.F. (Saturday)

While Valencia can’t improve their position with a win, they could at least tie Madrid on points and stay in the championship picture just in case Barcelona stumbles in the second half of the season. Apropos of nothing, does Valencia have the best club crest in all of football? They just might. As for Real Madrid, I’m kind of getting sick of them. They are the world’s richest and most valuable club- they should win everything, every time, all the time. Frankly, I love to see them fail. It’s almost as much fun as when the Yankees fail- almost. Fun Fact: Barcelona will not stumble in the second half of the season, their bench players are better than most team’s starters in La Liga. Fun Fact 2: Rumors continue to abound that Real Madrid’s Raul is coming to MLS in 2010.

S.V. Werder Bremen v. F.C. Schalke 04 (Saturday)

This is a big match for both teams as they are in second (Bremen) and third (Schalke) place in the Bundesliga and the only thing separating the two sides is goal differential. A Bayer Leverkusen loss this weekend will open the door to either of these teams to at least tie the league leaders on points, though only Bremen could hold first place outright- it’s always about goal differential, isn’t it?. Fun Fact: Werder Bremen manager Thomas Schaaf has been with the club since joining as a youth player at age 11 and is currently one of the longest serving managers in the Bundesliga, having taken over the senior team in 1999. Bremen’s coach before Schaaf? You guessed it, current Schalke coach Felix Magath! Fun Fact 2: Jermaine Jones “plays” for Schalke and someday may “play” for the USMNT.

F.C. Barcelona v. R.C.D. Espanyol (Saturday)

El Derbi Barceloni isn’t Real v. Barca, but still, it’s a big match, maybe even a bigger one if you are Catalan. As you might expect, throughout its history, the derby has been dominated by Barcelona, with 83 wins to Espanyol’s 33 in league play (there have been 33 draws). That being said, since the beginning of the 2006-2007 Espanyol have won two of the three matches that have not ended in draws. That will be something positive for Espanyol to focus on this year- given that they are currently only three points above the relegation zone in La Liga. Barcelona are, of course, in first place. Fun Fact: Espanyol’s Israeli forward Ben Sahar must spend all of his off-season time “on base” in order to fulfill his commitment to the Israeli Defense Force as part of his national service.

Bologna F.C. 1909 v. Parma F.C. (Sunday)

Ah, the much anticipated Derby of the Via Aemilia. For those of you not up on your Roman roads, that’s the one that runs from- you guessed it- Bologna to Parma! These teams find themselves in opposing situations as the Serie A season approaches the midway mark. Bologna are just above the relegation zone- though a couple of good results could boost them into the middle of the table- and Parma sit just outside the league’s automatic Champions League spots. This is impressive given that they spent last year in Serie B. Fun Fact: Bologna manager Franco Colombo has managed 14 clubs (Reggina three times!) is his 16 year career- that can’t be good, can it? Fun Fact 2: Parma manager Francesco Guidolin managed Palermo four separate times between 2004-2005 and 2007-2008!

Liverpool F.C. v. Arsenal F.C. (Sunday)

Something tells me that a bright young go-getter could set up shop outside of Anfield with nothing more than a barrel full of antacids and a smile and walk away a very rich man. Rafa’s boys can’t seem to get it together in the EPL or in Europe and the press and their supporters are making sure that the club don’t forget either problem. Arsenal are still in third place, but a gap is opening between the Gunners and the teams above them, and the teams behind them are not falling away as Mr. Wenger might have hoped by this point. And speaking of Arsene, he’s getting a bit crabby, isn’t he? I’ve managed to find it within myself to shake the hands of some opposing coaches I’d rather have backed over with the team bus- and I was barely getting paid what one of “The Professor’s” suits cost.

Olympique Lyonnais v. F.C. Girondins de Bordeaux (Sunday)

How do I know that I’m a nerd? I know because every time I see the “Girondins” part of Bordeaux’s name I think not of football, but of the French Revolution…and the Jacobin Club…and the Montagnards. Anyway…what’s going on in Ligue 1 again this year?! Not only are Bordeaux in first place (the were the champions last year), but they are followed by Montpellier and Valenciennes- Lyon are the only “big team” in the top four. Marseille are in seventh place and PSG are in eleventh place, to give you some perspective. Fun Fact: Bordeaux feature David Bellion, who was an underwhelming striker for three EPL teams in the first half of the decade. Fun Fact 2: Judging from the headshot on Lyon striker Kim Källström’s Wikipedia page, Kim is being mentored by Freddie Ljungberg.