Ligue 1 preview – AC Ajaccio vs. Evian TG
Newly promoted Ligue 1 clubs face each other for the first time in Ligue 1 Championelle as AC Ajaccio take on Evian TG at Stade Francois Coty on August 20, 2011.
AC Ajaccio
AC Ajaccio are yet to taste victory in the 2011/2012 Ligue 1 Championelle. The newly promoted side were beaten 2-0 in their opening game by leaders http://www.senore.com/Football-soccer/Toulouse-FC-c40751, but a 1-1 draw with seven times Champions Olympique Lyonnais would have lifted their morale in
the upcoming game against 2010/2011 Ligue 2 Champions, Evian.
Though they were dominated throughout the game against Lyon at Stade de Gerland, they showed good composure by pressurizing the home team and scored first.
L'ours have a good record against their Ligue 2 rivals. The Corsica-based club stand unbeaten against Evian TG in all competitions. In their three head-to-head encounters, Ajaccio have won twice and drew once.
After taking off a point from Lyon, psychologically Ajaccio are confident about the upcoming encounter. Goalscorer against Les Gones, Frederic Sammaritano, expressed his thoughts about the match saying, “I feel good for this game. We have worked a lot to
prepare for this meeting because Evian were promoted from the same level as us. We will have a lot of determination to get the three points.”
Ajaccio will have an added pressure as they look to register their first win in the 2011/2012 Ligue 1 campaign.
Evian TG
Evian TG have been enjoying a successful run after their first time appearance in Ligue 1. The Ligue 2 Champions remain unbeaten in their 2011/2012 Championelle after playing two games.
The Thonon-les-Bains-based club drew 2-2 against Stade Brestois 29 in their opening game and bagged their maiden Ligue 1 win, 1-0, against OGC Nice last week.
Evian have been able to keep their temperament in both the games as they were able to score three times, even though they held not more than 46 percent possession in both the games.
Despite being dominated, Evian were able to create good scoring opportunities and fully utilized on them, scoring twice against Brest and once against Nice.
Bernard Casoni, coach at Parc des Sports, would be hoping to continue with this unbeaten streak. His team last faced defeat 12 games earlier. Looking to continue their unbeaten run, Evian enter Stade Francois Coty with their heads held high to face Ajaccio.
Talking to media about the upcoming match, the former http://www.senore.com/Football-soccer/Olympique-de-Marseille-c40127 coach said, "It is up to us to be aggressive, but no more so than normal. Whether we are playing one of the big boys, Ajaccio, or an amateur team, we must approach the game in the
same way."
Team News
AC Ajaccio
No injuries have been reported from the Ajaccio camp and they are expected to play the same team that drew against Lyon. Key player for the Corsica club is goalkeeper http://www.senore.com/Football-soccer/Guillermo-Ochoa-c15350, who stood like a wall to keep Ajaccio’s goal impenetrable. Another player
to watch is midfielder Frederic Sammaritano who scored against Lyon.
Evian TG
A few injuries have rocked Evian’s squad as goalkeeper Bertrand Laquait and Defender Sasa Cilinsek and will not be available due to thigh injuries. Captain Olivier Sorlin returns to the midfield after missing the game against Nice due to an injury.
Newly recruited goalkeeper Stephen Andersen has joined the squad and is expected to make his debut in the goal.
Key players for Evian are Captain http://www.senore.com/Football-soccer/Olivier-Sorlin-c28517, who scored against Brest, and Saber Khalifa who scored the winning goal against Nice.
Prediction
Though Evian have managed to stay unbeaten, they would find it tough to win against an AC Ajaccio side that appear more determined to win their first game of the 2011/2012 campaign and have the home advantage.
Both teams appear to be on the same playing field, Evian coming from a win whereas Ajaccio from a draw against the seven times champions http://www.senore.com/Football-soccer/Olympique-Lyonnais-c40130. It is going to be a gruelling contest between two hardworking sides.
Predicted final score: AC Ajaccio 1-0 Evian TG
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