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Ligue 1 Round-Up: Montpellier Go Joint Top, Marseille Claim Three Points, Bordeaux Lose
On an evening notable for shocks, Montpellier have gone joint top of Le Championnat with Lyon. Olympique de Marseille's title hopes have picked up after a 3-0 win over Nancy, but Bordeaux lost again...
| Bet: | Returns: | Marseille £14.00 | Draw £43.33 | Valenciennes FC £65.00 |
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| Bet: | Returns: | Marseille £13.60 | Draw £47.50 | Valenciennes FC £80.00 |
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| Bet: | Returns: | Marseille £14.00 | Draw £40.00 | Valenciennes FC £73.50 |
|
Oct 17, 2009 8:56:02 PM
Saturday, October 17 2009
Auxerre 1-0 Girondins de Bordeaux
Le Mans 1-1 Boulogne-Sur-Mer
Olympique Lyonnais 0-2 Sochaux (full report)
Montpellier 2-1 Saint-Etienne
Nancy 0-3 Olympique de Marseille
Valenciennes 2-0 Grenoble
Lille L-L Stade Rennais
Auxerre 1-0 Girondins de Bordeaux
Bordeaux suffered their first defeat in close to seven months immediately prior to the international break, and they have followed that swiftly up with their second defeat, going down away to Auxerre.
Two solid defensive blocs largely cancelled each other out in the first period, but the game itself was not without incident. Les Girondins tended to have the upper hand in the first half and increasingly dominated play, however, they could not take any of the chances that came their way.
The first opening fell to left-sided midfielder Wendel, but his shot was kicked away by Olivier Sorin, who was rather unemployed in the home net for much of the first period. Around the half hour mark Bordeaux began to mount significant pressure. Jaroslav Plasil had a half chance after good play from Marouane Chamakh but shot into Sorin’s arms before the goalkeeper excelled by saving a poor Fernando Cavenaghi penalty.
After being dominated in the first half, AJA looked more lively after the interval and would go close to pulling ahead in the early stages of the period. Daniel Niculae forced Cedric Carrasso into his first save of the evening on 50 minutes, before the keeper looked on gratefully as Ireneusz Jelen sent a shot past his post when through on goal.
Such pressure would tell, as Auxerre were awarded a penalty for a foul on Cedric Hengbart by Michael Ciani. Valter Birsa struck positively into the net.
Rather than Bordeaux enjoying the best late chance, it would be AJA who would go closest, with Jelen cracking a shot off Cedric Carrasso’s bar as les Girondins’ uneasy spell continues.
Le Mans 1-1 Boulogne-Sur-Mer
Boulogne’s tenacity paid off as a late equalising goal left relegation threatened Le Mans stunned.
As anticipated, Boulogne started this game with a primarily defensive outlook and simply aimed to counterattack whenever MUC pushed too many players forward and lost cheap possession. Somewhat inevitably, Le Mans had the more frequent chances, with Frederic Thomas shooting just over on 11 minutes and Anthony Le Tallec pushing an effort just wide as half-time approached.
However, the home side’s greatest chance dropped for Fousseyni Cisse, who should have tucked away the rebound from a blocked Thomas shot but shot straight at Mathieu Valverde.
Boulogne had but one real first half opening, Jeremy Blayac, who was their most dangerous player, firing just wide after slick build-up play.
It was surprise when USBCO came out for the second period rather positively, Guillaume Ducatel sending a powerful effort just off course before the guests were denied by the crossbar, when Alexandre Cuvillier had sent a good first time effort away.
Somewhat cruelly, it was Le Mans that moved ahead, Roland Lamah meeting Sebastien Corchia’s free kick as Valverde made a misjudgement coming to claim.
This goal winded Boulogne, who failed to create a clear opening until deep into the match. When it came, they made it count, Fabien Robert equalising in stoppage time with a simple finish.
Olympique Lyonnais 0-2 Sochaux
Full report here...
Montpellier 2-1 Saint-Etienne
Newly promoted Montpellier’s dream start to the season continues as they moved joint top alongside Lyon.
Starting with the intent to extend their good Ligue 1 run, MHSC created the vast majority of the best first half chances against a slow a lacklustre Sainte. Sylvain Monsoreau, who was making a surprise start in the rearguard of the visiting side, nearly put through his own net just a minute before Victor Hugo Montano blasted a shot just past the post.
The pressure greatly increased in the last ten minutes before the half-time interval. Karim Ait Fana nearly picked out Montano with a cross that proved just too hard, while Alberto Costa then played in the France Under-21 player, who was denied by Jeremie Janot. The visiting goalkeeper would again be sharp to block a Montano shot a minute before half-time, but Sainte suffered a big blow on the stroke of the interval, when Yoann Andrea, a substitute for the injured Mahamadou Dabo, was dismissed for a second yellow card.
Given this evidence it was little surprise that Montpellier quickly moved to take a decisive advantage after the break. Karim Ait Fana sent a neat right-footed finish past Janot just eight minutes into the second half, and the visiting goalkeeper had to look lively soon afterwards to deny Montano.
Only two minutes later it was 2-0, though. Montano was again heavily involved, this time setting up Souleymane Camara to score on the counterattack.
In between the two MHSC goals, Sainte had a Yohan Benalouane header cleared off the line, but they would grab something tangible with 19 minutes remaining, Gonzalo Bergessio scoring from the spot.
Focused by this strike, Montpellier held out, despite a couple of anxious moments in front of their goal.
Nancy 0-3 Olympique de Marseille
While their rivals were busy slipping up, Marseille secured a good away win against Nancy to enhance their title push.
OM have made a habit of starting matches very quickly this season, and they would catch ASNL asleep in the opening minutes of the game. Mamadou Niang, typically, was the instigator, and Mathieu Valbuena, just four minutes into his first start of the season, took advantage of some lamentable defending to shoot home.
This was not to be a half of many chances, with Marseille dominating but never really penetrating their hosts. Nevertheless, a couple of opportunities did arise, and both fell to Brandao. A header at the back post had goalkeeper Damien Gregorini beaten, but Joel Sami swept round and cleared from the line, while the same player was denied by the goalkeeper only moments before the break after another gross misunderstanding in defence.
Although Marseille occasionally pieced together attractive moves, the game as a whole was largely a disappointing affair in the second period, with few clear-cut chances. Nevertheless, the game was made safe with 13 minutes still to play, Brandao latching onto a good Bakari Kone pass to finish calmly with his left foot.
The roof had caved in on Nancy and OM would quickly add another to their tally to push them further into the ascendancy. Against Kone was the catalyst, passing a ball off to Fabrice Abriel, whose unerring shot found the side netting of the inside of the goal, rounding off a highly satisfactory evening.
Valenciennes 2-0 Grenoble
The pain of Grenoble’s 2009-10 season keeps on growing more intense as they still chase their first positive result of the season nine matches into the campaign, this time suffering at the hands of Valenciennes.
Despite an early shot from Danijel Ljuboja, the visiting side were on the back foot for the majority of the first half but would suffer a double blow around the midway point of the period. Milan Bisevac had already gone close for VA but there was no stopping Mamadou Samassa, who was on hand to meet a Gregory Pujol flick and fire into the net after good play from David Ducourtioux down the right.
Seven minutes later the home side found the second goal of the game, Fahid Ben Khalfallah shot high into the top corner of the net having been released by Gael Danic.
Twice Nassim Akrour went close for GF38 just after the interval, but Valenciennes quickly responded, Danic going close with a pair of openings, the second of which culminated in a superb volley into the side netting.
With 13 minutes of play remaining, it should have been 3-0 to VA after Pujol was fouled in the box, but Samassa’s penalty was blocked by Ronan Le Crom.
In spite of their goalkeeper’s heroics, there was not be no grandstand finish, with VA holding out comfortably.
Robin Bairner, Goal.com
Auxerre 1-0 Girondins de Bordeaux
Le Mans 1-1 Boulogne-Sur-Mer
Olympique Lyonnais 0-2 Sochaux (full report)
Montpellier 2-1 Saint-Etienne
Nancy 0-3 Olympique de Marseille
Valenciennes 2-0 Grenoble
Lille L-L Stade Rennais
Auxerre 1-0 Girondins de Bordeaux
Bordeaux suffered their first defeat in close to seven months immediately prior to the international break, and they have followed that swiftly up with their second defeat, going down away to Auxerre.
Two solid defensive blocs largely cancelled each other out in the first period, but the game itself was not without incident. Les Girondins tended to have the upper hand in the first half and increasingly dominated play, however, they could not take any of the chances that came their way.
The first opening fell to left-sided midfielder Wendel, but his shot was kicked away by Olivier Sorin, who was rather unemployed in the home net for much of the first period. Around the half hour mark Bordeaux began to mount significant pressure. Jaroslav Plasil had a half chance after good play from Marouane Chamakh but shot into Sorin’s arms before the goalkeeper excelled by saving a poor Fernando Cavenaghi penalty.
After being dominated in the first half, AJA looked more lively after the interval and would go close to pulling ahead in the early stages of the period. Daniel Niculae forced Cedric Carrasso into his first save of the evening on 50 minutes, before the keeper looked on gratefully as Ireneusz Jelen sent a shot past his post when through on goal.
Such pressure would tell, as Auxerre were awarded a penalty for a foul on Cedric Hengbart by Michael Ciani. Valter Birsa struck positively into the net.
Rather than Bordeaux enjoying the best late chance, it would be AJA who would go closest, with Jelen cracking a shot off Cedric Carrasso’s bar as les Girondins’ uneasy spell continues.
Le Mans 1-1 Boulogne-Sur-Mer
Boulogne’s tenacity paid off as a late equalising goal left relegation threatened Le Mans stunned.
As anticipated, Boulogne started this game with a primarily defensive outlook and simply aimed to counterattack whenever MUC pushed too many players forward and lost cheap possession. Somewhat inevitably, Le Mans had the more frequent chances, with Frederic Thomas shooting just over on 11 minutes and Anthony Le Tallec pushing an effort just wide as half-time approached.
However, the home side’s greatest chance dropped for Fousseyni Cisse, who should have tucked away the rebound from a blocked Thomas shot but shot straight at Mathieu Valverde.
Boulogne had but one real first half opening, Jeremy Blayac, who was their most dangerous player, firing just wide after slick build-up play.
It was surprise when USBCO came out for the second period rather positively, Guillaume Ducatel sending a powerful effort just off course before the guests were denied by the crossbar, when Alexandre Cuvillier had sent a good first time effort away.
Somewhat cruelly, it was Le Mans that moved ahead, Roland Lamah meeting Sebastien Corchia’s free kick as Valverde made a misjudgement coming to claim.
This goal winded Boulogne, who failed to create a clear opening until deep into the match. When it came, they made it count, Fabien Robert equalising in stoppage time with a simple finish.
Olympique Lyonnais 0-2 Sochaux
Full report here...
Montpellier 2-1 Saint-Etienne
Newly promoted Montpellier’s dream start to the season continues as they moved joint top alongside Lyon.
Starting with the intent to extend their good Ligue 1 run, MHSC created the vast majority of the best first half chances against a slow a lacklustre Sainte. Sylvain Monsoreau, who was making a surprise start in the rearguard of the visiting side, nearly put through his own net just a minute before Victor Hugo Montano blasted a shot just past the post.
The pressure greatly increased in the last ten minutes before the half-time interval. Karim Ait Fana nearly picked out Montano with a cross that proved just too hard, while Alberto Costa then played in the France Under-21 player, who was denied by Jeremie Janot. The visiting goalkeeper would again be sharp to block a Montano shot a minute before half-time, but Sainte suffered a big blow on the stroke of the interval, when Yoann Andrea, a substitute for the injured Mahamadou Dabo, was dismissed for a second yellow card.
Given this evidence it was little surprise that Montpellier quickly moved to take a decisive advantage after the break. Karim Ait Fana sent a neat right-footed finish past Janot just eight minutes into the second half, and the visiting goalkeeper had to look lively soon afterwards to deny Montano.
Only two minutes later it was 2-0, though. Montano was again heavily involved, this time setting up Souleymane Camara to score on the counterattack.
In between the two MHSC goals, Sainte had a Yohan Benalouane header cleared off the line, but they would grab something tangible with 19 minutes remaining, Gonzalo Bergessio scoring from the spot.
Focused by this strike, Montpellier held out, despite a couple of anxious moments in front of their goal.
Nancy 0-3 Olympique de Marseille
While their rivals were busy slipping up, Marseille secured a good away win against Nancy to enhance their title push.
OM have made a habit of starting matches very quickly this season, and they would catch ASNL asleep in the opening minutes of the game. Mamadou Niang, typically, was the instigator, and Mathieu Valbuena, just four minutes into his first start of the season, took advantage of some lamentable defending to shoot home.
This was not to be a half of many chances, with Marseille dominating but never really penetrating their hosts. Nevertheless, a couple of opportunities did arise, and both fell to Brandao. A header at the back post had goalkeeper Damien Gregorini beaten, but Joel Sami swept round and cleared from the line, while the same player was denied by the goalkeeper only moments before the break after another gross misunderstanding in defence.
Although Marseille occasionally pieced together attractive moves, the game as a whole was largely a disappointing affair in the second period, with few clear-cut chances. Nevertheless, the game was made safe with 13 minutes still to play, Brandao latching onto a good Bakari Kone pass to finish calmly with his left foot.
The roof had caved in on Nancy and OM would quickly add another to their tally to push them further into the ascendancy. Against Kone was the catalyst, passing a ball off to Fabrice Abriel, whose unerring shot found the side netting of the inside of the goal, rounding off a highly satisfactory evening.
Valenciennes 2-0 Grenoble
The pain of Grenoble’s 2009-10 season keeps on growing more intense as they still chase their first positive result of the season nine matches into the campaign, this time suffering at the hands of Valenciennes.
Despite an early shot from Danijel Ljuboja, the visiting side were on the back foot for the majority of the first half but would suffer a double blow around the midway point of the period. Milan Bisevac had already gone close for VA but there was no stopping Mamadou Samassa, who was on hand to meet a Gregory Pujol flick and fire into the net after good play from David Ducourtioux down the right.
Seven minutes later the home side found the second goal of the game, Fahid Ben Khalfallah shot high into the top corner of the net having been released by Gael Danic.
Twice Nassim Akrour went close for GF38 just after the interval, but Valenciennes quickly responded, Danic going close with a pair of openings, the second of which culminated in a superb volley into the side netting.
With 13 minutes of play remaining, it should have been 3-0 to VA after Pujol was fouled in the box, but Samassa’s penalty was blocked by Ronan Le Crom.
In spite of their goalkeeper’s heroics, there was not be no grandstand finish, with VA holding out comfortably.
Robin Bairner, Goal.com
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