Report: New leaders Lyon plunge Marseille into despair
“PARIS — Eleven points separate Lyon and Marseille after OL defeated their title rivals 2-0 on Sunday to go top of Ligue 1 and consign Didier Deschamps’ hapless side to the bottom of the table.” You...
View ArticleGarde’s guidance restores sense and serenity to Stade Gerland
It is a measure of Lyon’s progress under Rémi Garde that Wednesday night’s 1-0 loss at Caen could be shrugged off as a mere inconvenience. Garde allowed himself a rueful smile during a pitchside...
View ArticleReport: Pastore puts PSG in pole position
Javier Pastore claimed his fifth league goal of the season as Paris Saint-Germain beat Lyon 2-0 at a raucous Parc des Princes on Sunday to open up a three-point lead at the top of Ligue 1. Read my AFP...
View ArticleReport: Lacazette gives Lyon edge over APOEL
“LYON, France — Lyon secured a slender advantage in their Champions League last 16 tie with APOEL FC by beating the Cypriot underdogs 1-0 in the first leg at Stade Gerland on Tuesday.” My AFP match...
View ArticleReport: Lille sitting pretty after Hazard sinks Toulouse
“PARIS — Champions Lille closed to within four points of top spot in Ligue 1 by winning 2-1 at home to Toulouse on Sunday and saw their grip on third place further strengthened by Lyon’s 1-1 draw at...
View ArticleReport: Brandão gives Marseille third straight League Cup
“PARIS — An extra-time goal by substitute Brandão gave Marseille a 1-0 win over Lyon at Stade de France on Saturday that allowed them to claim the Coupe de la Ligue for a record third successive...
View ArticleReport: PSG run riot as Lyon keep top-three dream alive
“PARIS — Paris Saint-Germain closed to within two points of Ligue 1 leaders Montpellier by overwhelming second-bottom Sochaux 6-1 at a sun-splashed Parc des Princes on Sunday.” My AFP round-up of the...
View ArticlePitchside Europe: Streamlined Lyon roll with the punches
“A bloated payroll, allied to the failure to qualify for the Champions League and diminishing income from television rights, meant that Lyon had no choice but to slash their wage bill in the summer....
View ArticleTactics: Ligue 1′s leading lights find diamonds in the rough
Paris Saint-Germain and Monaco may have stockpiled all the money in Ligue 1, but the playing fields of the French top flight have been awash with diamonds this season. Over the past few months, a 4-4-2...
View ArticleFreed from Lyon torment, fragile Gourcuff seeks fresh start
Lyon are 1-0 up at home to Metz and labouring when a lofted pass from Nabil Fekir finds Yoann Gourcuff in space on the left-hand edge of the penalty area. He deftly brings the ball down and throws a...
View Article