French Ligue 1 Preview: Olmpique Lyonnais – AJ Auxerre
Lyon looking to go top
http://www.senore.com/Football-soccer/Olympique-Lyonnais-c40130 welcome AJ Auxerre tonight to the Stade de Gerland in their last clash of the year. Les Gones experienced some highs and lows throughout the year. The highlight of Lyon's year was their run to the semi-finals of the Champions League for
the first time in their history. The French side however failed to win a trophy, and finished outside the Champions League spots as the season ended in a failure.
Lyon didn’t make a good start to 2010-11 season either, and struggled to make an impact in the early goings. They accumulated a measly five points from their opening seven games. However the tide then turned in favour of Les Gones, who have gone unbeaten
in their next ten league games. Such a good run of form has seen them climb up the league table. As things stand now, Claude Puel’s men are fourth in the league, one point behind league leaders Lille with a game in hand.
As Lille play seventh placed Saint Etienne tonight, Lyon have an ideal chance to go top of the table with a victory. However http://www.senore.com/Football-soccer/AJ-Auxerre-c38247 are a tough opponent, and Puel is not taking anything for granted.
The Lyon manager said, “It will be a tough match. Beating Auxerre will not be easy. They can be dangerous at any time because of their counterattacking. They are a cohesive team with a big defensive bloc. We don’t expect a cakewalk.”
Terrible season for AJ
While Auxerre finished an impressive third in the league and qualified for the Champions League, they have found it difficult to maintain their performances this season. Jean Fernandes’ men are languishing in 13th place in
the League standings - a reminder of just how quickly things change in football.
Injuries have played a huge part in Auxerre's poor run, since a host of key players have been missing in action for much of the campaign. Auxerre are on a five match win-less run, as their last victory came against Rennes back in November; a 2 – 0 victory
at home.
Fernandes’ troops have accumulated just 22 points from their opening 18 games, and a defeat could drag them to 16th in the league. To make matters worse, Fernandes isn’t even expecting a victory from his side tonight,
as they prepare themselves for a tough night in Lyon.
Fernandes said, “We’ve got a game to play against Lyon before the break. It’s going to be tough. We’re on our knees.”
Team News
Olympique Lyonnais:
Lyon are without the services of Jeremy Toulalan, http://www.senore.com/Football-soccer/Yoann-Gourcuff-c37416 should start, after sitting out the tie against Marseille.
AJ Auxerre:
Fernandes will be without the services of several indispensable players for this game. Cedric Hengbart, http://www.senore.com/Football-soccer/Alexandre-Licata-c4896 are all on the injury list.
Key Players
Lisandro Lopez (Lyon)
The mercurial Frenchman has been an excellent replacement for http://www.senore.com/Football-soccer/Spain-c3011. Lopez was forced to sit out the start of the season, and that reflected in the teams poor results. However, Lisandro has
made a blistering return to first team football, and will look to put Auxerre to sword on home turf.
http://www.senore.com/Football-soccer/Olivier-Sorin-c28516
There is little room for optimism in the Auxerre dressing room, as even a point will be a huge bonus. Sorin will have to be in inspired form if his side are to take anything away from the game. With a host of players out injured, and a leaky defence in front
of him, it will be Sorin vs Lopez for much of the evening.
Prediction
Les Gones should win this one with ease. The only question is, how many will they put past their opponents? Fernandes is likely to drop into damage-limitation mode, but Lyon should still walk out 2 – 0 winners.
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