French Ligue 1 preview: Olympique Lyonnais Vs Stade Rennais
Stade de Gerland will see seven-time Ligue 1 champions Olympique Lyonnais take on highflying Stade Rennais in week 14 of the 2011/2012 Ligue 1 campaign.
Coming in to this game, Lyon are in fourth place in the Ligue 1 standings and chase leaders Paris Saint-Germain by six points. Both sides are battling to keep up with pace-setters PSG who have blitzed their way past their opponents so far this season. With
just one point separating Lyon and Rennais from eachother, both sides know that dropping points could prove very costly.
Defeat at the hands of Sochaux prior to the international break dented Lyon’s title assault but the return of Lisandro Lopez should certainly be a boost for Lyon. The Argentine striker missed 14 games for Les Gones due to an ankle injury.
However, it is not the first time that the South American has been reported to be on the verge of making a comeback. However, Remi Garde now believes that the striker will be available in the crunch game against Frederic Antonetti’s men.
“He is progressing very well,” Garde said while talking to the media.
http://www.senore.com/Football-soccer/Olympique-Lyonnais-c40130 have won all of their last five Ligue 1 games at the Stade de Gerland which means that Rennais might find it hard to break down a Lyon defence that is conceding goals at an average of 0.7 goals per game.
Stade Rennais on the other hand should feel comfortable by the fact that they have won more away matches that any other side in the Ligue 1 this season. Out of seven away games, the Bretons have won four which is certainly a good record.
Although Remi Garde’s men have not been beaten at their own backyard since September last year, the French tactician has warned his charges of a tough task ahead.
“This is the first of a run of eight matches before the winter break. It is another fresh start for us. Rennais have performed well away from home, and have had more problems at home. So their form has been in contrast to ours in that respect,” Garde was
quoted saying while talking to OL TV.
However Garde also added that he is expecting a tough game against Rennais.
Rennais might be making the trip to South of France without their key midfielder Yann M’Vila. The young Frenchman was injured while on international duty for France and Antonetti is still awaiting news about his fitness.
“He is wearing a neck brace, but it’s nothing too nasty. It is just stiff and sore,” Antonetti said.
Player to watch
Bafetimbi Gomis (Lyon)
The http://www.senore.com/Football-soccer/France-c2899 international has so far made a great start to the Ligue 1 by scoring seven goals. since transferring to Lyon from archrivals AS Saint-Etienne, the striker has been on the receiving end of some harsh criticism. However, this season has seen Gomis
take up a lot of responsibility especially after the injury to Lisandro Lopez. The return of the former http://www.senore.com/Football-soccer/FC-Porto-c39186 man would certainly aid Gomis further in attack.
http://www.senore.com/Football-soccer/Jonathan-Pitroipa-c19052 (Rennais)
The Burkinabe international joined Rennais from Bundesliga side Hamburger this summer and has proven to be one of the stars of Ligue 1 this season. The 25-year-old would be looking to link up with the likes of Ekoko and Feret as Rennais seek to carve out
another away win.
Predicted final score: Lyon 2-1 Rennais
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