Global

Ligue 1: Marseille crisis deepens as Nancy stay top

By Grant Russell ⋅ September 24, 2007 ⋅  Print This Post ⋅ Post a comment

Marseille’s league form failed to improve as l’OM went down 2-0 at Auxerre after a build-up of much promise following their Champions League victory in midweek.

The result now leaves a question mark over the future of coach Albert Emon, having guided his team to only one victory in Ligue 1 this season in nine attempts.

It’s fair to say Marseille didn’t exactly turn up in the right frame of mind, forced to wear Auxerre’s change kit (pictured) following the misinformed decision to bring only their home kits which, like Auxerre’s, are also blue and white. And their chances weren’t helped further as AJA raced into a two goal lead, courtesy of Daniel Niculae, which the visitors failed to recover from.

Djibril Cisse had countless chances in the second period, but he was constantly frustrated by the heroics of goalkeeper Olivier Sorin, as well as his own poor finishing. The result leaves Marseille in 16th position, just three points off the bottom.

At the top of the table, Nancy got back on track and remain top of Ligue 1 with a 2-0 home win against Lorient. They took their time though, Youssef Hadji producing two goals in the last ten minutes to secure a slim, but promising lead at the summit.

Following hot on their heels are Bordeaux, courtesy of a fine 2-0 away win at Paris SG. Paul Le Guen’s side have failed to turn Parc des Princes into anything like a fortress this season, and goals from Johan Micoud and former Manchester United striker David Bellion banished any fears the away side had of post-Uefa Cup fatigue.

Also at the top, Lyons were held at home on Sunday by Lille. Lille in fact took the lead early on courtesy of a thunderbolt from the left boot of Michel Bastos. Lyons took their time to press the game, but found their equaliser early in the second half when Sidney Govou rounded the grounded Tafforeau to tap home to make it 1-1. Lyons thought they had taken all three points in the last minute, but Milan Baros’ was deemed to have used a hand to guide the ball into the net, and was shown a yellow card for his troubles.

That result left the champions fourth in the table, giving Valenciennes the chance to keep up their impressive start to the season after a comfortable 1-0 win over Monaco. Johan Audel found the net with a wicked looping header from the edge of the area, which nestled into the top corner despite the best efforts of Flavio Roma in goal. For the principality side, it’s a third consecutive defeat, and their confidence will be dented going into a potential banana skin of a tie in the League Cup on Thursday away to recently relegated Nantes.

Elsewhere, at the bottom Sochaux pulled themselves out of the drop zone with their first win of the season at Rennes. Stéphane Dalmat and Mickael Isabey scored either side of half-time to give the French Cup winners a much needed boost.

Also at the bottom, Metz prevailed in the dogfight away at Caen. The home side took the lead, Yoan Gouffran shooting across ‘keeper Christophe Marichez with nine minutes on the clock. Last year’s Ligue 2 champions fought their way back into contention when Senegalese striker Momar N’Diaye tapped home before half-time, and Daniel Gygax hit the winner with half an hour left on the clock. The result leaves Caen bottom, whilst Metz now climb above them into 19th.

In the three other games, Nice brushed aside St Etienne 3-0 thanks to a double from Bakari Kone and a late goal from David Hellebuyk. Le Mans moved up to fifth with a 1-0 away victory at Strasbourg, Ndri Romaric with the only legitimate goal of the evening, although the home side can feel aggrieved that James Fanchone had a late ‘equaliser’ ruled out for a foul.

And finally, Toulouse and Lens played out a 1-1 draw at the Stade Municipal Toulouse. The draw continues Lens’ renaissance under new manager Jean Pierre Papin, who earned a credible result after playing the majority of the second half with 10 men following midfielder Kader Mangane’s red card. The goals came from Toulouse’s Bryan Bergougnoux and Olivier Monterrubio of Lens, both in the first half.

If you want to know more about Ligue 1 or French Football, send in your questions to mail@footballingworld.com. Grant will be happy to answer any questions you may have.

Related Articles

• No related posts.