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Ligue 1 Round-Up: Montpellier & Auxerre Tie; Paris Saint-Germain Thump Sochaux; Big Wins For Nice & Boulogne
On an evening of big games and high tension, Nice were the big winners, while the race for the title somehow got even tighter...
| Bet: | Returns: | Dijon FCO £24.00 | Draw £31.50 | OGC Nice £29.50 |
|
| Bet: | Returns: | Dijon FCO £22.50 | Draw £32.00 | OGC Nice £33.00 |
|
| Bet: | Returns: | Dijon FCO £24.00 | Draw £30.00 | OGC Nice £30.00 |
|
| Bet: | Returns: | Dijon FCO £23.80 | Draw £32.00 | OGC Nice £30.00 |
|
| Bet: | Returns: | Dijon FCO £23.50 | Draw £31.00 | OGC Nice £28.50 |
|
Mar 13, 2010 7:50:00 PM
By Robin Bairner
Saturday, March 13, 2010
Le Mans 0-1 Nice
Lorient 1-0 Racing Club de Lens
Monaco 0-0 Girondins de Bordeaux (report)
Montpellier 1-1 Auxerre
Nancy 1-3 Boulogne-Sur-Mer
Paris Saint-Germain 4-1 Sochaux
Olympique Lyonnais L-L Saint-Etienne
Le Mans 0-1 Nice
In the crucial bottom of the table clash between Le Mans and Nice, the hosts enjoyed the better of the game but it was the guests who claimed the all important three points.
There was more purpose to MUC’s play at the outset. Moussa Narry had a shot well wide, but this was followed up by more promising drives from Mathieu Dossevi and Anthony Le Tallec, the latter of whom was denied by a fine save by visiting custodian David Ospina. This was an isolated threat in a period of mediocrity.
Following a thoroughly dull first period, the second started in a somewhat more promising fashion, though Mamadou Bagayoko’s well struck shot zipped straight into the midriff of Didier Ovono, who was drastically underworked in the first period.
Le Tallec mustered a tame response for Arnaud Cormier’s side, heading at goal after a Dossevi cross. Ospina held with ease. MUC then had claims for a penalty waved away as Herlod Goulon clashed with the Colombian goalkeeper in the box.
Still aggrieved, Le Mans would be sucker punched moments later, when Loic Remy showed strength and finishing power to hold off a defender and send a terrific shot by Ovono into the home net, plunging the hosts into a world of relegation problems.
Lorient 1-0 Racing Club de Lens
Christian Gourcuff’s Lorient side were far from their best, but they still managed to pick up three home points against Racing Club de Lens.
Lens were the protagonists for a good portion of the opening half. Les Sang et Or looked dangerous at times going forward, creating a handful of early opportunities. Sebastien Roudet was the orchestration of many of these, playing in Issam Jemaa early on, though the forward’s effort was kicked clear by Fabien Audard.
Roudet would have a go himself moments later but flashed his shot wide of target, while Jemaa would go close once again soon after. Between these efforts, Kevin Gameiro had the ball pinched off his toe by Marco Ramos when well placed.
Though Marama Vahirua was denied by a very good low save from Vedran Runje immediately after the interval, it was Jean-Guy Wallemme’s side who still looked most likely, with Jemaa heading a decent opening past the post.
In the final 20 minutes, les Merlus started to show some of their best form, though Argentine striker Sebastian Dubarbier was twice wasteful when well positioned. Sylvain Marchal showed the forward how to strike 12 minutes from time, sending a header into the net from a Vahirua corner.
Gameiro nearly followed that strike up with a quick-fire second, but his miss was largely irrelevant as les Merlus held on for three points.
Montpellier 1-1 Auxerre
A slow burning game between Montpellier and Auxerre ended level, doing little for either sides’ title ambitions.
Much of the early pressing would be done by the home side, who attacked their guests with relish but struggled to penetrate a well drilled and proven back four. Victor Hugo Montano was the first to get a sight of goal, but his effort was well saved by Olivier Sorin.
After withstanding 25 minutes of pretty intense pressure, AJA slowly increased their standing in the game. Ireneusz Jelen showed why he has earned such high praise from coach Jean Fernandez in recent weeks by flashing a shot just wide on 27 minutes and then forcing a terrific save from Geoffrey Jourdren less than 60 seconds later.
Cyril Jeunechamp would crack the bar for the hosts, but just prior to the pause the guests snatched the initiative. With a lack of rhythm characterising the first period, far better was hoped for after the interval. Daniel Niculae unlocked the defence with a fine pass towards Dennis Oliech, who finished well.
After this sighter at goal, Costa again proved to be the saviour of la Paillade, taking advantage of some poor defending to strike home a cross from Souleymane Diawara.
There would be drama in the closing stages. Jelen was denied by Jourdren, while Niculae hit the post with seven minutes remaining. In the penultimate minute of the game it took a magnificent double-block from Sorin to deny MSHC all three points, sending neither side home totally content.
Boulogne claimed a victory in their must-win affair against Nancy, keeping their slim hopes of safety alive.
The guests would boast a decent share of the ball in the early stages, which manifested into a couple of decent efforts at goal, though neither Guillaume Ducatel nor Olivier Kapo’s efforts from distance seriously threatened Gennaro Bracigliano in the home net.
For a period it seemed that Nancy had started to get a handle on proceedings, with Djamel Bakar firing an effort on goal, but this proved a false dawn as Laurent Agouazi gave USBCO the lead on 32 minutes. The ball dropped kindly to the midfielder after Nancy had made a mess of defending a Ducatel free kick, and their fans were quick to let their feelings of frustration known.
Four minutes from the interval, the hosts finally responded. Chris Malonga pulled down a centre from Reynald Lemaitre and battered home a levelling goal somewhat against the run of play.
Both teams were largely reduced to hopeful efforts from distance after the interval, with a strike from Jonathan Brison that went past the right post comfortably the moment of most interest.
Suddenly the game burst into life when Youssouf Hadji was set free to be brilliantly denied by Jean-Francois Bedenik, whose block inspired Boulogne to a second goal. A long ball forward was met by substitute Matt Moussilou, whose first contribution was to crack home a fine volley.
Though Bakar might have levelled immediately afterwards, Boulogne added to their lead as Alexandre Cuvillier, who was unusually quiet, finished neatly after fine individual play, killing the game off.
Paris Saint-Germain 4-1 Sochaux
PSG put their poor form behind them by firmly putting Sochaux in their place at the Parc des Princes.
After a difficult few weeks, les Parisiens started the match in a very bright fashion. A clever ball forward from Stephane Sessegnon picked out Mevlut Erding, but the Turkish striker could not negotiate a route past Mathieu Dreyer for the ball. Les Lionceaux’s second choice goalkeeper would be beaten twice in as many minutes as les Parisiens built spectacularly on their promising opening.
Guillaume Hoarau is more noted for his penalty box instinct than his skill, yet he showed fine technique to dance by a couple of challenges before planting a shot into the net from inside the box. Erding would then make up for his earlier miss, latching onto a low centre from Ludovic Giuly only moments later to drive PSG two up.
Les Parisiens remained the dominant force. Erding headed a great opening by the post before doubling his personal money on 35 minutes, presented with a simple chance from Christophe Jallet.
There was little respite in PSG’s pressure after the interval, with Giuly and Erding going close, but the guests were given a brief glimmer of hope when Ryad Boudebouz converted from the penalty spot after a foul on Marvin Martin by Jallet.
The two goal deficit didn’t last as Erding grabbed a deserved hat-trick. A clever one-two with Hoarau took him clear, allowing him to show his confidence by rounding the ‘keeper to slot into an open net.
Erding, Hoarau and Ceara all had late chances to really increase the pain of les Lionceaux, but a fifth goal was not forthcoming.
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Le Mans 0-1 Nice
Lorient 1-0 Racing Club de Lens
Monaco 0-0 Girondins de Bordeaux (report)
Montpellier 1-1 Auxerre
Nancy 1-3 Boulogne-Sur-Mer
Paris Saint-Germain 4-1 Sochaux
Olympique Lyonnais L-L Saint-Etienne
Le Mans 0-1 Nice
In the crucial bottom of the table clash between Le Mans and Nice, the hosts enjoyed the better of the game but it was the guests who claimed the all important three points.
There was more purpose to MUC’s play at the outset. Moussa Narry had a shot well wide, but this was followed up by more promising drives from Mathieu Dossevi and Anthony Le Tallec, the latter of whom was denied by a fine save by visiting custodian David Ospina. This was an isolated threat in a period of mediocrity.
Following a thoroughly dull first period, the second started in a somewhat more promising fashion, though Mamadou Bagayoko’s well struck shot zipped straight into the midriff of Didier Ovono, who was drastically underworked in the first period.
Le Tallec mustered a tame response for Arnaud Cormier’s side, heading at goal after a Dossevi cross. Ospina held with ease. MUC then had claims for a penalty waved away as Herlod Goulon clashed with the Colombian goalkeeper in the box.
Still aggrieved, Le Mans would be sucker punched moments later, when Loic Remy showed strength and finishing power to hold off a defender and send a terrific shot by Ovono into the home net, plunging the hosts into a world of relegation problems.
Lorient 1-0 Racing Club de Lens
Christian Gourcuff’s Lorient side were far from their best, but they still managed to pick up three home points against Racing Club de Lens.
Lens were the protagonists for a good portion of the opening half. Les Sang et Or looked dangerous at times going forward, creating a handful of early opportunities. Sebastien Roudet was the orchestration of many of these, playing in Issam Jemaa early on, though the forward’s effort was kicked clear by Fabien Audard.
Roudet would have a go himself moments later but flashed his shot wide of target, while Jemaa would go close once again soon after. Between these efforts, Kevin Gameiro had the ball pinched off his toe by Marco Ramos when well placed.
Though Marama Vahirua was denied by a very good low save from Vedran Runje immediately after the interval, it was Jean-Guy Wallemme’s side who still looked most likely, with Jemaa heading a decent opening past the post.
In the final 20 minutes, les Merlus started to show some of their best form, though Argentine striker Sebastian Dubarbier was twice wasteful when well positioned. Sylvain Marchal showed the forward how to strike 12 minutes from time, sending a header into the net from a Vahirua corner.
Gameiro nearly followed that strike up with a quick-fire second, but his miss was largely irrelevant as les Merlus held on for three points.
Montpellier 1-1 Auxerre
A slow burning game between Montpellier and Auxerre ended level, doing little for either sides’ title ambitions.
Much of the early pressing would be done by the home side, who attacked their guests with relish but struggled to penetrate a well drilled and proven back four. Victor Hugo Montano was the first to get a sight of goal, but his effort was well saved by Olivier Sorin.
After withstanding 25 minutes of pretty intense pressure, AJA slowly increased their standing in the game. Ireneusz Jelen showed why he has earned such high praise from coach Jean Fernandez in recent weeks by flashing a shot just wide on 27 minutes and then forcing a terrific save from Geoffrey Jourdren less than 60 seconds later.
Cyril Jeunechamp would crack the bar for the hosts, but just prior to the pause the guests snatched the initiative. With a lack of rhythm characterising the first period, far better was hoped for after the interval. Daniel Niculae unlocked the defence with a fine pass towards Dennis Oliech, who finished well.
A quick free kick soon after the interval a quickly taken free kick would create an opening for Jelen, though Jourdren made a smart block. Montpellier’s response was good, but Alberto Costa, the hero of Bordeaux last week, smacked the post after cutting off the flank.
After this sighter at goal, Costa again proved to be the saviour of la Paillade, taking advantage of some poor defending to strike home a cross from Souleymane Diawara.
There would be drama in the closing stages. Jelen was denied by Jourdren, while Niculae hit the post with seven minutes remaining. In the penultimate minute of the game it took a magnificent double-block from Sorin to deny MSHC all three points, sending neither side home totally content.
Erding In The Right Direction | PSG Claim A Win
Boulogne claimed a victory in their must-win affair against Nancy, keeping their slim hopes of safety alive.
The guests would boast a decent share of the ball in the early stages, which manifested into a couple of decent efforts at goal, though neither Guillaume Ducatel nor Olivier Kapo’s efforts from distance seriously threatened Gennaro Bracigliano in the home net.
For a period it seemed that Nancy had started to get a handle on proceedings, with Djamel Bakar firing an effort on goal, but this proved a false dawn as Laurent Agouazi gave USBCO the lead on 32 minutes. The ball dropped kindly to the midfielder after Nancy had made a mess of defending a Ducatel free kick, and their fans were quick to let their feelings of frustration known.
Four minutes from the interval, the hosts finally responded. Chris Malonga pulled down a centre from Reynald Lemaitre and battered home a levelling goal somewhat against the run of play.
Both teams were largely reduced to hopeful efforts from distance after the interval, with a strike from Jonathan Brison that went past the right post comfortably the moment of most interest.
Suddenly the game burst into life when Youssouf Hadji was set free to be brilliantly denied by Jean-Francois Bedenik, whose block inspired Boulogne to a second goal. A long ball forward was met by substitute Matt Moussilou, whose first contribution was to crack home a fine volley.
Though Bakar might have levelled immediately afterwards, Boulogne added to their lead as Alexandre Cuvillier, who was unusually quiet, finished neatly after fine individual play, killing the game off.
Paris Saint-Germain 4-1 Sochaux
PSG put their poor form behind them by firmly putting Sochaux in their place at the Parc des Princes.
After a difficult few weeks, les Parisiens started the match in a very bright fashion. A clever ball forward from Stephane Sessegnon picked out Mevlut Erding, but the Turkish striker could not negotiate a route past Mathieu Dreyer for the ball. Les Lionceaux’s second choice goalkeeper would be beaten twice in as many minutes as les Parisiens built spectacularly on their promising opening.
Guillaume Hoarau is more noted for his penalty box instinct than his skill, yet he showed fine technique to dance by a couple of challenges before planting a shot into the net from inside the box. Erding would then make up for his earlier miss, latching onto a low centre from Ludovic Giuly only moments later to drive PSG two up.
Les Parisiens remained the dominant force. Erding headed a great opening by the post before doubling his personal money on 35 minutes, presented with a simple chance from Christophe Jallet.
There was little respite in PSG’s pressure after the interval, with Giuly and Erding going close, but the guests were given a brief glimmer of hope when Ryad Boudebouz converted from the penalty spot after a foul on Marvin Martin by Jallet.
The two goal deficit didn’t last as Erding grabbed a deserved hat-trick. A clever one-two with Hoarau took him clear, allowing him to show his confidence by rounding the ‘keeper to slot into an open net.
Erding, Hoarau and Ceara all had late chances to really increase the pain of les Lionceaux, but a fifth goal was not forthcoming.
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Hosted by Stephen Crawford & Adam Scime
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2/15/12
And with that, we're going to call it a night, folks.
We've had two tremendous matches today, so lets hope the intensity keeps up in the next clashes!
Until next time, this is LIVE commentator Stephen Crawford signing off.
From everyone here at Goal.com, thanks for joining us!
We've had two tremendous matches today, so lets hope the intensity keeps up in the next clashes!
Until next time, this is LIVE commentator Stephen Crawford signing off.
From everyone here at Goal.com, thanks for joining us!
2/15/12
All this focus on the Arsenal and Milan game should not take away from another cracker earlier tonight between Zenit and Benfica. The Russians came from a goal down to lead 2-1 in the closing minutes before Oscar Cardozo levelled things for Benfica, but it wasn't over there as Roman Shirokov won the game for Zenit in the 88th minute.
Here's the thoughts of Benfica coach Jorge Jesus, who felt his side deserved a point from the game.
Here's the thoughts of Benfica coach Jorge Jesus, who felt his side deserved a point from the game.
2/15/12
Arsenal keeper Wojciech Szczesny bemoaned his side's luck tonight but refused to give up. Here's some of his quotes:
"They were the better team on the night and that's the story of the day.
"We have to keep fighting, pick ourselves up, get the confidence back and challenge in the other competitions and in the second leg of this tie too.
"They punished us on every occasion; they scored some quality goals and they deserved to win."
Full story HERE
"They were the better team on the night and that's the story of the day.
"We have to keep fighting, pick ourselves up, get the confidence back and challenge in the other competitions and in the second leg of this tie too.
"They punished us on every occasion; they scored some quality goals and they deserved to win."
Full story HERE
2/15/12
Another Milan player who was willing to share his thoughts after the match was Mark van Bommel, who has urged caution ahead of the second leg in London.
“The score made it look like it was an easy game, but it certainly wasn't.
(Strange... it looked pretty easy from where I was sitting, but hey.)
“I do not think it's over yet. I remember a clash between Milan and Deportivo la Coruna when Milan was also ahead by four goals, and in the end Deportivo eliminated Milan.
“I went into the Arsenal dressing room after the match to speak to Robin van Persie. I had agreed with him to swap shirts – my sons are big fans of his and he brought two for them. They will be delighted.
Van Bommel went on to talk about a possible move to PSV in the future, but was quick to point out his terms for the move.
“I've spoken with PSV, but we don't have an agreement yet. The club has to decide what they want.
“If Louis van Gaal turns out to be the new coach, I won't go.”
“The score made it look like it was an easy game, but it certainly wasn't.
(Strange... it looked pretty easy from where I was sitting, but hey.)
“I do not think it's over yet. I remember a clash between Milan and Deportivo la Coruna when Milan was also ahead by four goals, and in the end Deportivo eliminated Milan.
“I went into the Arsenal dressing room after the match to speak to Robin van Persie. I had agreed with him to swap shirts – my sons are big fans of his and he brought two for them. They will be delighted.
Van Bommel went on to talk about a possible move to PSV in the future, but was quick to point out his terms for the move.
“I've spoken with PSV, but we don't have an agreement yet. The club has to decide what they want.
“If Louis van Gaal turns out to be the new coach, I won't go.”
2/15/12
Next up is the Milan maestro Clarence Seedorf. He only managed 12 minutes on the pitch, but watching from the sidelines he was delighted at how his team mates had dominated the game.
"Tonight everything went in the right direction and we did a very good match. You don't start a match thinking to win 4-0, but at the end i think we deserved it coz we played very well."
"Tonight everything went in the right direction and we did a very good match. You don't start a match thinking to win 4-0, but at the end i think we deserved it coz we played very well."
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