Ligue 1 Team Of The Week: Round 3

Le Championnat continues to throw up some unexpected results, though Marseille are at least on the board, while Toulouse have maintained their perfect start. Here’s the top performers from the third week of action...

Aug 23, 2010 9:30:00 AM

By Robin Bairner

More On :  AC Arles, AJ Auxerre, AS Monaco, AS Nancy-Lorraine, AS Saint-Etienne, Bordeaux, FC Lorient, FC Sochaux, LOSC Lille Métropole, Montpellier HSC, OGC Nice, Olympique de Marseille, Olympique Lyonnais, Paris Saint-Germain, RC Lens, SM Caen, Stade Brestois 29, Stade Rennais FC, Toulouse FC, Valenciennes FC
Ligue 1 - Pitau vs El Arabi - MHSC vs Caen (Panoramic)
Goalkeeper
Steve Mandanda (Olympique de Marseille)
Handed the captain’s armband prior to the match, Mandanda reacted to the pressure very impressively indeed. Had been questionable in the opening two matches of the campaign but bounced back brilliantly as OM finally recorded a win against Lorient. Won his duel with striker Kevin Gameiro, which was key to les Phoceens’ success.


Defence
Mathieu Debuchy (Lille) Another terrific performance from the LOSC right-back, who continues to operate effectively at both ends of the field. Stopped Sochaux making much significant progress down his flank on Sunday but was arguably even more effective going forward, producing a few telling crosses that might well have broken what proved to be a deadlocked match.
Milan Bisevac (Valenciennes) Despite the potential of being distracted by a much discussed move to Paris Saint-Germain, the Serbian central defender was at his best for VA, making countless telling blocks in the heart of their defence as they picked up a 1-1 draw with Auxerre on Saturday night. Rugged and determined, it was clear to see why former coach Antoine Kombouare covets his presence so highly.
Michael Ciani (Girondins de Bordeaux) Brought back into the Bordeaux side after sitting out a two-match ban at the beginning of the season and made a huge difference. On countless occasions Ciani bailed out his fellow defenders with a last ditch challenge or a strong header, and in the last moment of the game he made his most decisive contribution, rising high to power a Yoann Gourcuff corner kick into the corner of the net with a wonderful header.
Taye Taiwo (Olympique de Marseille) The Nigerian was never really threatened down his left side, despite Lorient breaking the OM back four’s offside trap on a handful of occasions on Saturday. On a roasting evening, Marseille seemed to be clinging on desperately to their 1-0 advantage over les Merlus before Taiwo unleashed a thunderbolt of a shot from the outside of the box to settle any nerves.


Midfield
Alou Diarra (Girondins de Bordeaux) A true captain’s performance from Diarra at the Parc des Princes, where Bordeaux ended their dreadful recent run with a 2-1 victory over Paris Saint-Germain. Opened the scoring with a towering header from a corner kick but his display was by no means all about attack. Broke up countless opportunities for the hosts with his hard running, leading by example over the course of the game.
Bruno Grougi (Stade Brestois) The 27-year-old midfielder may have been on the field with Lyon’s stars, but it was he who shone brightest at Stade Gerland, despite his side’s ultimate 1-0 defeat. That Brest worried OL so intensely over the course of the game was largely down to their metronomic midfielder, who was solid defensively and purposeful going forward. Had a couple of very good long range efforts, including one that whistled by Hugo Lloris’ post.
Daniel Braaten (Toulouse) Has got off to a terrific start this season and simply continued it on Saturday evening, when he struck the opening goal as le Tefece defeated Arles-Avignon. With three goals in three games, the Norwegian is somewhat bizarrely Ligue 1’s top scorer at this stage. Carried Toulouse’s line well, despite the men from the Pink City missing Andre-Pierre Gignac, who is on his way to Marseille, and Xavier Pentecote, who is out long-term. There could be a more permanent role for the Norwegian at this rate.
Sebastien Roudet (Racing Club de Lens) A virtuoso performance from the creative midfielder as he picked his side’s way back from the dead against Monaco. Showed great tenacity to get to the bye-line to create the own goal that sparked the comeback and then displayed impressive finishing ability to get himself on the end of an Henri Bedimo pass and smash the equaliser only a few minutes later. Had disappointed this term before the weekend, but now seems to be back on top of his game.
Gael Danic (Valenciennes) Probably the performer of the week in Ligue 1, the left-sided midfielder was a real workhorse in the 1-1 draw against Auxerre. Happy to tackle back, he made a number of important interventions at key times, but his big contribution was a stunning long range strike that had opposing goalkeeper Vedran Runje beaten all ends up. With two goals in two games, the 28-year-old is one of Le Championnat’s form players.


Forward
Daniel Niculae (Monaco) While Monaco weren’t especially impressive at the weekend, they were efficient going forward. For that they owed much to Niculae, who had a hand in both goals as les Rouge et Blanc picked up a point against Lens. Scored a scorching opening goal from 25 yards out – a strong contender for goal of the month – and then provided the flick that allowed Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang to add a second after the break.


Mandanda

Debuchy   Bisevac   Ciani   Taiwo

A. Diarra   Grougi

Braaten   Roudet   Danic

Niculae

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