Sunday will see the conclusion of the race for fifth place and the final Europa League spot as Ligue 1 reaches its climax. Going into the final matchday there are four sides who theoretically stand a chance of securing that European berth for next season. Saint-Étiennev Bordeaux is a straight shootout between the pair in a winner takes all matchup whilst Rennes and Toulouse can also still make it but need a combination of events to occur. Read the rest of this entry »
This week’s podcast comes live from southern France as Andrew travelled down for the massive game between Montpellier and Lille. Depending on the result in Paris, La Paillade could have lifted Le Championnat.
Real Madrid fan Tom Wilde has been impressed by young French defender Raphael Varane. In fact he is so impressed he is predicting a very bright future for the 19-year old.
Zinedine Zidane was behind the transfer of young Frenchman Raphael Varane from RC Lens to Real Madrid in the Summer of 2011. Zidane insisted that Real Madrid sign this player having kept an eye on him at Lens and stating that he reminded him of now French National Coach Laurent Blanc.
The then 18 year old Varane was shown the facilities at Real Madrid’s training complex of Valdebebas, met with both Jose Mourinho and Zidane and was immediately impressed with Real Madrid’s offer and put pen to paper on a six year contract with the Spanish giants.
Real Madrid fan Tom Wilde looks back at French striker Karim Benzema’s excellent season with the Spanish Champions. Benzema will spearhead the French attack this summer and he seems to be in the best form of his career.
Out-with Cristiano Ronaldo, Karim Benzema has been Real Madrid‘s standout player this season. The transformation in the young Frenchman’s fortunes over the previous season have been tremendous and he has earned his first team spot for the Spanish champions.
It was only 18 months ago though, that Karim Benzema was publicly criticised by Jose Mourinho. When it was revealed in December 2010 that Gonzalo Higuain would have to go under the knife for a back injury he had suffered. Mourinho now only had one striker at his disposal and was less than pleased at the prospect, comparing having Benzema in your team with hunting with a cat, instead of a pack of dogs.
Jeremy Smith takes a look at was has happened to FC Metz and how they have fallen from being one of France’s top names all the way down to the third division. Can the slayers of Barcelona make their way back and dine at the top table once again.
For 40 minutes or so on the 9th of May 1998, FC Metz (pronounced “mess” by the locals) were virtual French champions. Needing to win and for RC Lens to lose in order to win the league for the first time, Metz led Lyon while at the same time Lens trailed to Auxerre. However, a Lens equaliser clinched the championship on goal difference, and les grenats’ chance was gone. It felt at the time like a great chance blown and the beginning of a period of rebuilding. Not in the fans’ worst nightmares, did they think that it would begin a downward spiral that culminated last weekend. Barring a miracle – 14 goal swing – almost 14 years to the day, Metz’ will be relegated to the Championnat National, for the first time in the club’s 80 year history.
Andrew had the pleasure of being in the Stade de la Mosson this weekend to watch Montpellier move within one point of their first ever Ligue 1 title. A report will follow but for now, please enjoy these pictures.
Today Laurent Blanc named the French based players that completed his 27 man preliminary squad. Surprise inclusions include Montpellier’s excellent Mapou Yanga M’Biwa and Lyon’s playmaker Yoann Gourcuff. Left out of the squad is PSG’s captain Mamadou Sakho, and strikers Kevin Gameiro and Bafetimbi Gomis.
Blanc will have to remove four names from the list. Defender Younes Kaboul will miss out through injury, that leaves Blanc with only three names left to remove before submitting the final 23 names. Looking at the numbers expect two midfielders and a forward to leave the list.
Last night in Paris the best and brightest of Ligue 1 gathered to find out who would be crowned the best in France. The UNFP awards would honour the Best Player, Best Young Player, Best Goalkeeper, Best Coach and a Best XI of the season.
With 17 goals and 15 assists for his club Lille’s Eden Hazard was names Ligue 1’s Best Player for the second year running. The Belgian wingers pipped Olivier Giroud, Younes Belhanda and Nene to the prize. Hazard used the awards ceremony to announce that he had made a decision and he would be moving to Manchester…although he wouldn’t confirm that it was City.
So this is what it all boils down to for Montpellier, win this game a home to Lille and surely the title will be theirs, lose or draw and it potentially sets up a huge final day of action. It is a massive assumption that Paris Saint-Germain beat Rennes but if they were to claim three points then la Paillade could find themselves two points ahead of les Dogues in third place on the final day of the campaign and in need of an away win against an Auxerre side fighting for their life. PSG on the other hand would travel to Lorient who are almost guaranteed their safety with little to play for whilst Lille face Nancy at home. The title race could still take one massive twist with only two games to go so it is do or die for Rene Girard’s men. A Montpellier victory on Sunday would surely crush PSG’s spirited late challenge for the title regardless of their result but failure to do so would run the risk of undermining a heroic underdog story. Read the rest of this entry »
Andrew and Jon are back only days from the penultimate week of games in Ligue 1. They discuss the three championship contenders and their games last weekend. PSG’s comeback against Valenciennes; Montpellier’s excellent win against Rennes and Lille coasting past Caen.
With Montpellier hosting Lille this weekend the guys preview the big games at the top.
The Andrew was joined by Ligue 1 expert Steve Wyss (@meatmansoccer) as they discuss the situation at his team Marseille and other issues around Ligue 1 and French football in general.
In Part two the guys focus on the relegation battle and what teams have the most favourable run-in for the final two games.
With Laurent Blanc picking the first half of his French side for the Euro 2012 tournament Jon and Andrew look at who made the list and who didn’t. Also would Ben Arfa start for France, or what will his role be.
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