“It’s very difficult. Every time, it’s the same thing – the fans are angry with me and whistle at me. When the team draws or loses, it becomes my fault. I don’t deserve this. This proves that they aren’t real fans. Fortunately, I’m supported by my teammates and the technical staff, who also don’t understand the fans’ reaction towards me…”

Fred also says that if he scores in the next match, he won’t celebrate with the fans. He also confirms that he will not leave Lyon this winter no matter how much the fans whistle him. At the very least, he will stay until the end of his contract, which ends this summer. Aulas on the other hand is hoping that Fred doesn’t take the whistling too personally (too late, he already has) because he wants the Brazilian to extend his contract.

Fred’s most frequent expression these days.

What’s hilarious is Fred’s refusal to acknowledge why Lyon fans – who are the last people on the planet to engage in booing their own players – dislike him so much. Maybe it’s because he’s been less visible than Casper when he’s been on the pitch. Or maybe it’s because of his belief that he’s entitled to a starting spot based on his performances three years ago. Or maybe it’s because of all that shit he pulled last year (for more info, read this, this, this, this, this, this, this, and this).

Geez, Fred is such a delinquent. Has he lately done ANYTHING besides falling to the ground and missing really easy sitters? Anything?!?!?!I mean, even his own coaches bitch about him. Gerard Houllier, when asked about Fred’s whereabouts two years ago, famously replied: “How the hell should I know? I only pay attention to players who are at the club.” Alain Perrin, when asked last summer about Fred’s whereabouts, responded: “I’m seriously thinking about calling the FBI and filing a missing persons report.” I can only imagine what Puel has to say about him.

And before I get accused of being on an anti-Fred agenda (which I am, I have no patience for the guy), I should mention that he’s had personal issues, so you can read about that here. Though that’s no excuse if you ask me.

The question is, do we want Fred to extend his contract at Lyon? Based on past performances and incidents, I think I’d rather just get Loic Remy back. Hell, I’d rather just promote Yannis Tafer.

Wow, so much has happened since then. We cheered as Karim Benzema came into his own. We watched the decline of Juninho and the emergence of Jeremy Toulalan. We couldn’t believe the resurgence of Sidney Govou. We were proven wrong about Fabio Santos and Jean-Alain Boumsong.

And yet, it’s also like nothing has changed. Last April, Lyon were out of the Champions League, booted from the French Cup, and had lost the Coupe de La Ligue final. Gerard Houllier was alienating players, Fred and Hatem Ben Arfa were benched, the title was wrapped up, and transfer rumors abounded.

Sound familiar…?

Looking back, it makes me so proud to have been a part of this wonderful little blog, and after 350 posts and 6,500 comments, I hope that the Lyon Offside continues to grow. I’ve enjoyed your comments and the spirited discussion on this site, and I’ve had a great time getting to know many of you. To both devoted readers and lurkers alike, thanks so much for accompanying me on this year long voyage (and for putting up with my Jeremy Toulalan obsession).

I’d also like to know what else you would like me write about, if you’d like to see more of a certain feature or topic, or if you have any ideas on improvements that can be made. Don’t be shy because it’s in all our interests to make this blog a better place. If you have questions, comments, or concerns, shoot an email to lyon[at]theoffside.com.

I just love you guys!!!

Of the ten league games scheduled to take place this weekend, Lille-Lyon was chosen for this honor, partly because Lyon is always likely to draw neutral fans in Paris, and partly because the other games this weekend aren’t as interesting. (also, when this fête was scheduled, no one would have thought that Lille would be 20 points behind Lyon…).

So far, over 75,000 tickets have been sold. This has shattered the previously held record for an L1 match, which was 57,609 spectators for Marseille-Lyon back in August 2005. Assuming that more tickets will be purchased as we get closer to the match, this game could also break the absolute attendance record of 76,184 for Lille-Manchester United back in 2004.

The fact that a simple league game is capable of drawing these sort of numbers is reassuring for all parties involved. Lille and Lyon are currently in the process of building higher capacity stadiums, so this gives them hope that they will be able to fill most of the seats. It’s also good news for the LFP because many of the spectators are neutral fans who don’t necessarily support L1 teams but are interested in the “spectacle.” In this day and age of French football labeled boring, the LFP’s campaign might just be what is needed to revive interest in the French league.

If all goes well, the LFP may decide to make games like this an annual or even a biannual event.

I’ve already covered the derby’s background in a previous match preview, so check it out here. But basically, this is the derby between the rich and the poor, the aristocrats vs. the blue-collar workers, the industrialized vs. the traditional.

January 27, 2008
Stade Geoffroy-Guichard, Saint Etienne
2:55 PM ET (20:55 CET)

Match info:

As derbies go, this one can be considered unusual because Saint Etienne is 60 km away from Lyon (essentially a suburb of sorts). But keep in mind that in France, none of the teams in L1 have purely local derbies since each city has only one topflight team (including Paris). So if you are a fan of Arsenal-Spurs or Madrid-Atletico, you might be disappointed. France is still growing as a footballing nation, and right now, there are more spectators than supporters.

Still, there’s a great deal of hatred between the two clubs. The last time Lyon traveled to St. Etienne, the match had to be halted because of the smoke bombs thrown onto the pitch. And let’s not forget the charming tifos of the Stephanois which depicted Lyon players as animals that should be hunted. Rather sweet of them, don’t you think?

Some charming graffiti scrawled outside the Gerland. You can guess what it implies. Thanks to Kyle (L’Americain for this gem!).

Saint-Etienne (Les Verts) are more fortunate than most L1 teams because they are only missing three players for the African Cup of Nations, and only two of them are starters. Midfielder Bayal Sall is playing for Senegal, Siaka Tene is with the Ivory Coast, and their danger man, Pascal Feindouno, is captaining Guinea.

My perception of Saint-Etienne has always been that of a dangerous team going forward, especially since they possess a good deal of firepower. Despite missing Feindouno, Saint-Etienne can count on Ilan, Freddy Guarin, Dimitri Payet, Blaise Matuidi, and Bafetimbi Gomis.

Defensively, they are weaker, but they do have the incomparable Jeremie Janot in goal. There’s just no one else like him in France. However, unfortunately for Saint-Etienne, Janot will end up missing the derby due to a shoulder injury. But Ilan, Geoffrey Dernis, and Mouhamadou Dabo have been cleared for the clash.

In 13th place, Saint-Etienne’s sole goal this season is to finish midtable. With only eight wins out of a possible 22, they’ve conceded only 23 goals and have scored 22. It’s too much to ask them to nail a spot in Europe, which is sad considering that they hold the record in France of L1 titles won. Paul Marshall over at ESPN Soccernet said it best: Les Verts are living up to their nickname – they’re green because they have a low carbon footprint, mostly due to not traveling outside of France.

Lyon on the other hand have to win this game since Bordeaux are literally breathing down their necks. With only a three point lead, Lyon can’t afford any slip ups.

Lyon info:

Mathieu Bodmer and Sidney Govou are cleared to take part in the game. Bodmer felt muscle pain during last Wednesday’s match against Lorient and was taken off as a precaution. Govou has been out since the game against Nancy last December due to pulling a thigh muscle.

Le groupe lyonnais: Coupet, Vercoutre – Réveillère, Squillaci, Paillot, Grosso, Clerc – Bodmer, Källström, Toulalan, Crosas, Delgado – Ben Arfa, Mounier, Benzema, Rémy, Fred, Govou

Unfortunately, Juninho did not pass a late fitness test, so Perrin has decided to leave him out to give him more time to recover from his fractured toe, which he sustained against Toulouse. Also, with Milan Baros about to be transferred to Portsmouth, he was left out as well. Our new boy Boum-Boum will be watching from the stands.

Expected lineup:

Coupet
Clerc – Squillaci – Bodmer – Grosso
Crosas – Toulalan – Kallstrom
Govou – Benzema – Ben Arfa

We’re left with pretty much the same regurgitated defense. Fabio Grosso has no backup, and no way Sandy Paillot will get the nod over a fit Bodmer. As for RB, it is technically Anthony Reveillere’s turn, but Francois Clerc had a great game against Lorient.

In midfield, again we don’t have much of a choice. With Bodmer in defense and with Juninho out, all we have is Marc Crosas to take his place. Thankfully, Crosas looked pretty good in the last two games, so I don’t mind his starting again.

Up front is a toss up. Now that Govou has returned, I can’t imagine Perrin not playing him. And with Karim Benzema scoring left and right, it seems criminal not to let him play. So the question is – who will get that third spot? My vote is with Hatem Ben Arfa, who’s also been scoring left and right. But Fred looked very promising in the last game, so it’s possible that Perrin might drop either Ben Arfa or Govou to put in Fred (thereby shifting Benzema to the left). And don’t forget Cesar Delgado, who will hopefully get some minutes as well.

Viewing options:

It will be pretty easy to watch this game since it’s the big weekend match in France. Setanta/Setanta Broadband will be broadcasting it, and you will be able to find streams here.

Expected result:

My random guess of the day is 2-1. I can see Lyon conceding, but I also see them scoring…

I hope that many of you also got to know each other as well. Although a handful of the people who read this blog actually post comments, just know that Lyon have fans all over the world, in countries as remote as Fiji and Malta, as far away as South Africa and Chile, and from all over France of course. So thank you to all who participated and took the time to read through the various fan-oriented posts. And a very special thanks to Guignol, Pride of Lyon, Joanna, Dan, and Chris for contributing to Fan Week.

We fans are what make football so beautiful.

I just want to end this with a suggestion. There is, to my knowledge, no supporters group for Lyon fans abroad. Both Marseille and PSG have ones based in New York City (OM Fanclub NYC, PSG New York City Club de Supporters). Lefutur suggested the creation of an OL supporters group based at Nevada Smiths like the OM and PSG ones, or one that is more general purpose (like an online forum for fans to interact). This blog, while good for discussions and sharing information, is limited in terms of fans interacting with one another.

I personally can’t spearhead the creation of an OL supporters group abroad because this blog keeps me busy enough as it is, and also, I’m being paid to find the cure for Ebola. But if someone out there has some spare time and is willing to start up a website, I’d be more than willing to offer input and help, and I’m sure other volunteers can be found as well.

It’s just an idea, mind you, but we can’t let OM and PSG stay ahead of us, can we?

Recap: The Fans

Why Do You Like Lyon?
The Ultras
An American Convert
Loving Lyon From Very Far Away
Not a Fan
An MLS Fan Has His Say
A Roma Fan Tells It Straight

And no, I wasn’t thinking about how Roma cruelly dumped Lyon out of the Champions League last year, or how Spalletti keeps making eyes at Francois Clerc every six months, and how Fred keeps pimping himself out to Roma, or how Aulas tried to offer pocket change for Mancini, or…

When I think of Roma, this picture is what first pops into my mind.

Tell us a little about yourself. You’re an Italian by blood. Have you always supported the Azzurri? What about Roma?

Well, I played the sport competitively from 5 until 15, when my coach had a sit down with me and told me he’d pay to watch me play the other football because I had a penchant for stretchering off opponents (legality was irrelevant) and I was destined for more physicality. Plus I was more joga than bonito. Unfortunately, deep down I still have dreams of being the next really really poor homeless man’s Luca Toni, but the other sports worked out, so no complaints.

I can remember exactly what drew me in with the Azzurri: The Divine Ponytail. I grew to love the Azzurri over the course of USA ‘94 rooting with the fam, and The Penalty From Hell really clinched the deal. I was born in Boston, so choking on the biggest stage possible was always going to earn my love and adoration (at least in 1994). In fact, I still have a Baggio Azzurri shirt collecting dust somewhere. Roma I’m a little fuzzier on. It’s one of those things like the Red Sox, it feels like I’ve loved them since birth, but that isn’t nearly the case. The inception of the internet was big, because we hardly any access to the overseas sporting events that we do now. Then cable TV started picking up sporadic games and I turned into the certifiable fan that I am today. I’m sure this resonates with many American footy fans. But honestly, I can’t pinpoint where Roma began. It’s just been kind of a gradual things I’d been urged into many moons ago.

How do you feel about France (as a footballing nation)? Do you think that France and Italy will both qualify for Euro 2008?

Mama said if you don’t have anything nice to say, don’t say anything at all. Honestly, they’re my Yankees. I hate them. I hate them with a passion. And I don’t know why. I just do. I’ll be the first to admit that Italians don’t exactly project themselves as Mr. Collective Nice Guy, or have the squeakiest image, but the French just take it to the next level for me. The stuff they say just makes me wonder if they can be both that arrogant and that stupid at the same time (at least when it comes to Azzurri matches). However, at the same time I respect them, I respect their abilities and I respect their achievements. But I would love for them to fall off the face of the European map (this is how I endear myself to French blog readers).

But that said, intense rivalries are one of the main factors which makes sport such a wonderful thing. Without it, the victories wouldn’t be as sweet and we’d be filled with complacency. So I’m glad they’re around. Especially as long as Domenech is in charge. One of the best coaches the Azzurri have ever had.

And yes, both will qualify. I respect Scotland, but I feel very strongly that the Azzurri can beat them away and that’s the deciding game remaining in Group B. Plus I think Ukraine will beat the Scots anyway; a lot of people sleep on the ex-commies, but they’re very underrated. France has a relatively easy schedule the rest of the way, so if they can somehow convince themselves this isn’t ‘02 anymore and they are allowed to actually score goals, they’ll be fine. Just don’t take Ukraine lightly.

How often do you get a chance to watch Lyon? As a Serie A viewer, what are your thoughts on Lyon, and on Ligue 1 in general?

Nowadays I watch Lyon whenever possible, and that has nothing to do with last year’s Champions League. Although they come second to Marseilles for me, to which I have recently signed over my fan card on a permanent basis. Lyon is a very good team and as a fan of the sport I like watching good teams. It’s really that simple.

When it comes to Lyon, I’m a little undecided as to how I view them as a team. They do everything above average, but nothing really extraordinary as a team (putting aside Coupet and Juninho’s free placements-in-the-back-of-the-goal). They don’t exactly have a tactical identity, like Roma’s unique waves of attack, or Milan’s playmaking wizardry in the Christmas tree, or Chelsea’s long balls up to Drogba all…game….long, so tactically I don’t have much to say. A lot of teams do what they do, and most do it much worse. I don’t get overly-excited knowing they’re playing that day like I do with Bayern these days, or Barca. A very good, solid and composed squad that has won 6 titles in a row for a reason. (Although I was an immense Tiago fan, now I hope he acquires a third world STD – or at least one that only flares up before Roma games. Mourinho saying letting him go was his biggest mistake revealed quite a bit.)

I’m still of the belief that Ligue 1 is a lower-tier league (one notch behind the Bundesliga), even though they do produce some decent squads. I love Serie A for a lot of reasons, and none are bloodlines. I’d still take watching Cagliari v Udinese over nearly any other league’s games – outside of the G14 powerhouses – any day because of the focus on technicality and subtlety. Serie A to me is a competitive art, and La Liga is similar. I love the nuance and the skill that seems to depreciate once you start to move north and across channels (yes, that’s my daily underhanded shot at the EPL). The lack of league depth is another factor, that even the move ardent L1 supporters won’t argue with, and I think it detracts from what could be another big league. But I don’t hate L1, I’m just kind of indifferent. It’s like the cute, shy bookworm that you only ask to the prom if your top 5 options are all taken.

We always joke about whether a move from Lyon to Roma is lateral or not, but what do you think are the differences between the two teams (that is, why do you think an OL player would move to Roma but not vice versa)?

I won’t limit it to saying a Roma player wouldn’t move to L1, but I think the circumstances for each move would be vastly different nine times out of ten. I think Lyon has hit a point where they’re at equilibrium in terms of player movement. OL took a significant move back in the mercato this summer, and for a team still in the process of convincing big names in their primes that their club is a viable destination, I think that is a very poor step. What happens the first time somebody sneaks up on Lyon and takes the trophy in the last week of the season? Lyon loses 99% of its marketable allure for prospective players. A major selling point for OL is playing for a domestically invincible team. Almost a guaranteed trophy (or two). The way I see a Roma player moving, or someone in a similar position, is either if they’re very young and would not get playing time in Serie A or a player on the back end of their career looking to either resurrect himself or pick up a nice paycheck as they ride off into the sunset (hence Grosso, who was pimped all over Serie A without a bite).

Whereas Roma is a team on the up, a team that 2 years ago was a disaster and now a force playing some of the most beautiful football in Europe (it’s always a good sign when Arsene “I’d Rather Walk The Ball Into The Goal Than Win” Wenger praises your aesthetic, fluid style). They have one of the best young nuclei in all of Europe and the best player in Serie A, surrounded by some good and some great players. All under the tutelage of a tactical magician. This team is so good now, but still being built for the future – scintillating as a fan. The appeal isn’t solely in this team, it’s in what could be down the road.

There’s also the outside factors, like the city of Rome, which is gorgeous. The finances are largely negligible, but Roma can pay well above Lyon if they really want to (Totti makes 5.5m a year, De Rossi will approach 4..5 by January). Then there’s playing in one of Europe’s Big 3, which is the goal of any great athlete – to prove himself against the best. However, the biggest factor, the one which every player who pulls on the jersey voices, is the aura. There is so much passion, love and life surrounding the fans and stadium. We love our players unconditionally and they become superhuman icons to us. They are so much more than athletes, regardless of their country of origin. It’s hard to explain without feeling it, but there is such a special aura surrounding the club that draws people in. It’s why they’re called La Magica. It’s been said so often now, a win in Rome means more than in any other city. That sells itself.

There are just so many factors with players wanting to come to Rome. The football is certainly better this year, but on the other side, players talk of Rome almost in prose. Lyon is normally referred to as a stepping stone for most. You spend your prime at a club like Roma, usually you don’t at Lyon. That to me makes it a step above.

The one and only time Lyon and Roma met was during last year’s Champions League knockout rounds. When you first found out about the draw in December, what was your reaction? Did you expect a Roma victory, or were you worried that they might not make it to the quarterfinals?

I suppose I get to say this now with little question, but yeah, I did expect Roma to win, even though I will admit the life savings was never on the line. I think Lyon, especially Stade Gerland, was the perfect situation for them. Roma of 06-07 was a largely inconsistent team, but my God, when they’re on they can embarrass anybody. Unfortunately, in the same token, they can also get embarrassed.

One of the big worries I had with last year’s squad is their lack of “big game experience.” Outside of Francesco Totti, Christian Panucci and Simone Perrotta, Roma had next to zero international experience to speak of, nor much European experience. Daniele De Rossi is a World Cup winner, but I think everyone knows where he spent the majority of his time in Germany, not to mention being so young and of so few caps to start. Outside of those three, we had 10 or 12 relatively meaningless caps here and there, and little CL experience. This worried me if Roma was to draw a Bernabeu, or Anfield, or Old Trafford (where they eventually crapped their pants). Last year the team was a bunch of European neophytes. They were never going to be mentally prepared as a collective group for one of Europe’ historical giants.

I was so comfortable because Lyon does not have that history. That daunting presence of a giant. The stadium will not be roaring with thousands upon thousands of fans blood-thirsty for yet another expected and mandatory European trophy. There would obviously be butterflies, but far fewer than a team like Barcelona or Bayern would bring. And I’m always confident when Roma is playing at the Olimpico, regardless of the team. I think for a revamped team under a new coach and new system, Lyon was the perfect introduction. They could go into Stade Gerland like cocky kids and take them by storm without a care in the world and not be so apprehensive. And that’s what happened.

We made a wager a while back on whether Lyon or Roma would win the CL first. Imagine, for a moment, that both these clubs made it to the CL final in Rome in 2009. How do you think that game would unfold?

The first thing that comes to my mind here is squad turnover. While a lot of teams make just as many, if not more, changes during the course of the summer, Lyon gives up a lot of players considered “core performers”. I’m no Nostradamus, but there’s a good chance Lyon will lose a very influential player or two next summer. But should the squad talent level remain largely the same, then I don’t see how Lyon beats Roma in Rome. The native Romanisti take so much pride playing in their city, I cannot even fathom what levels of greatness they would reach in a game they would easily characterize as the biggest of their lives (even for Totti and De Rossi).

And while players like Mexes, Aquilani and De Rossi are still reaching new levels of stardom, the most consistently overlooked attribute Roma has to offer is Luciano Spalletti. I won’t purport to be an expert on Allain Perrin’s CV, abilities, or nuances, but Spalletti is a once-in-a-generation tactician and largely responsible for Roma of today. Many people forget Roma was fighting relegation, had their locker room torn apart by internal feuds and had Rome’s icon, Totti, nearly a Galactico before he came along. 2 years later Roma is a Scudetto favorite and significant competitor on the European stage. Regardless of the talent level for either club, I don’t think Perrin could out-think Spalletti in a game at the Olimpico for one second. The man is a tactical genius, and not many people outside of the boot know it. The players are great, but he has been the difference maker.

The Mancini stepovers will always be remembered by Lyon (as well as Fred bloodying up Chivu). Does Mancini do that often, or was that just an inspired moment from him?

Mancini does those types of things every now and again, but he’s no Cristiano Ronaldo (he was originally a RB, where stepovers are poo-pooed). Nor is he the best trickster on the team, that award goes to Rodrigo Taddei – whose Aurelio still goes down in my book as the best trick of last season, no matter the size or magnitude of the game in which Mancini decided to dazzle the world. I feel like my ankles are going to break even just watching Taddei’s move. I’m sure a few Lyon fans remember Rodrigo anyway…

I give a lot of crap to Reveillere, but what was he going to do? 99% of players would have looked like utter fools on that play. I would have done the same thing. Actually, I might have just kicked Mancini in the face and taken the penalty, red, and some orange slices in the locker room. I would never complain if Reveillere pulled on a Giallorossi kit in the future. I’d still take him any day of the week.

Oh if only this moment could be wiped from OL’s history…

Is there a particular Lyon player you admire? And if you could take one OL player to Rome, which one would it be?

I don’t know enough about them personally to make a comment, because a lot of the time off-the-field personalities factors into my thinking when it comes to respect. The obvious choice would be Fabio Grosso, because what he did for us in Germany was simply magical, and there aren’t many better stories than his. But if I had to go with someone I’m not inherently biased towards, I would have to say Gregory Coupet. He’s so underrated, yet he’s still regarded as one of the best keepers in the world, which I believe says quite a bit. Unfortunately, I think part of his lack of credit is his own fault, while the other part resides with Fabien Barthez and Ray Ray Dum Dum. Barthez does play well for France, as scary as he may be a times, but I still feel Coupet should’ve been tapped on the shoulder much more often earlier in his career when it came to Les Bleus. The other aspect of this is that I feel had he moved to one of the Big 3, the rest of the world would truly know how damn good he really is. Not that he’s in Gigi’s league or anything (of course I had to throw that in there).

As for that one player, I’m torn between Kallstrom and Bodmer. Neither are really fast enough for the Spalletti system, and neither Keita nor Ben Arfa are disciplined enough, even though most people would pick them to do well in the system. I really love Bodmer, but there’s nowhere for him to play now that Aquilani has turned into a superstar overnight when it was supposed to take a few years. If I was starting a team from scratch, though, it would be Bodmer easy. One of the most underrated players in Europe. Apparently by Perrin too.

One of Roma’s newest recruits, Ludovic Giuly, is a graduate from OL’s youth academy and a Gerland favorite (he has a stage named after him). How has he been received by Roma and their fans?

I’ll be the first to admit I’ve had an illogical, irrational, and unjustified hatred of Giuly for years, and I can’t really tell why. But now I love him, and I still don’t know why. Maybe it’s because the team loves him, especially Philou (Mexes), who was starting to feel all lonely in his Frenchness after Ricardo Faty left.

But overall the fans love him. To the point where you start to wonder what form of cancer he’s cured recently. A lot probably has to do with Totti specifically calling out for his arrival, reportedly flying to Barcelona to convince him to join the boys in yellow & red. As Totti goes, we go (we’re easy like that). Lulu’s still been rather inconsistent in his movement once he gets the ball, but off the ball he is a nuisance and a pest and is all kinds of wonderful things for opposing defenses. Good to have in the bag. We’re pleased.

What is your opinion on Jean-Michel Aulas? Savior or devil in disguise?

For Lyons fans: savior. Everyone else: Lucifer. He’s great for his team, but a nuisance for anyone else. He’s not really a problem, but just kind of like a gnat buzzing in your face that distracts you from getting stuff done. Like the Mancini thing. Ulterior illusions aside, what was he doing? Offering up $50,000 for a $75,000 car? Who really takes him seriously unless they’re a) a French club, or b) looking to buy one of his players. And he has OL’s best interests in mind, but he’s like the parent with the B student who won’t stop talking about how their kid is Ivy league bound.. Better yet, he’s like this girl Katie I knew from back in the day. I went to private school but a buddy of mine who stayed public told me about the day she got into her numero uno school and started waving it around and shoving it in everybody’s face like she was Queen of Everything, when the school isn’t anything special (we’ll call it “Coston Bollege”). Then when I saw her that next summer she wouldn’t wipe that smarmy look off her face until I had a few choice words – or “critiques” – for her awesome school. At which point she walked off with her tail between her legs. That’s JMA to me (and I was Prade laughing off his offer for Mancini). He’s Katie with the skewed perception.

Dan is one of the few. A fan of DC United, he is a fellow blogger who also became a Lyon fan. When I found out, I was curious, because it’s rare to meet fans of American soccer supporting what is still a relatively obscure team in the US. Even though he’s busy with college, he kindly agreed to answer a few of my questions.

Tell us a little about yourself. You’re an American, living in a country where football (soccer) may not even be one of the top five most popular sports. So how did your interest in soccer grow? Was it always there or was it something you discovered?

Just like every other American kid, I played house league when I was little. Thing is, even when other kids started discovering other sports, I stuck with it. What’s more, I’ve always subscribed to the principle that one should know what they’re playing. Some kids played basketball and followed the Wizards, other kids played football and followed the Redskins – I played soccer, so I followed DC United. Nowadays I still play soccer, and I still follow DC United, and also Chelsea, and Barca, and Rangers, and Lyon… It’s a wonderful world out there. Soccer is an international sport. Living in a college setting, I often find soccer is not only a commonality, but even a connecting language between me and someone who doesn’t know much English yet. And was there something I discovered? Yes: there’s nothing like a good ol’ nutmeg to boost (or curb) the ego.

You mentioned that you are a follower of Major League Soccer (MLS), in particular DC United. Most Europeans (including those of us who watch Ligue 1) tend to look down on the MLS for being a subpar league. How would you respond to that?

I might agree that the MLS is a ’subpar’ league, though I would use a less derogatory term. The MLS is a young league with a lot of momentum and marketing opportunity, not unlike most Asian/Oceanic leagues today. I think the DP rule [Designated Player Rule], along with growing marketing schemes, will attract bigger names and world-class talent, growing not only the league but the attractiveness of soccer in North America as a whole. Then again, this is the big picture. It will take decades of hard work to realize it.

How did you end up becoming a Lyon fan? Have you met any other Americans who are followers of Lyon?

Couldn’t tell you how I became a fan. When I started learning about the EPL, I realized I was checking in on Chelsea more than any other team. I liked watching them play and I liked the personalities on the team. Same thing happened with Lyon, I guess. My cousin from Quebec is a PSG fan; we have friendly arguments whenever we meet.

I haven’t met too many other Lyon fans around here, near Wash. DC. Chelsea fans are also rather hard to come by. There’s a significant Latino community where I come from; Barca, Real Madrid, Boca Juniors and Club America are huge. Other than that, Manchester United, Arsenal, and the occasional Liverpool nut are standard fare.

Currently, there aren’t any American footballers in France, yet in Germany, Holland, Belgium, and Britain, they are present in numbers (last winter, Lyon were linked with Oguchi Onyewu, who would have been the first American at Lyon, but he ended up Newcastle, and Brian Carroll was recently on trial at Marseille, but it didn’t work out). Why do you think that is?

Ligue 1 is the next frontier, in my opinion. Jeremiah White was blazing the trail in Ligue 2 for awhile, but from what I understand, he didn’t see much playing time. Same thing happened with Quentin Westberg, who just left Troyes in search for more minutes. It’s my impression that the French don’t appreciate American soccer talent very well. The first American in France will not only have to possess outstanding work ethic and physicality, but exhibit the kind of flair and personality that attracts the Ligue 1 community. It’s a complex formula. That said, Danny Szetela just cracked La Liga in Spain; it’s only a matter of time before an American finds his way into a top-flight French side.

You are also a fan of Barcelona and Rangers. How did you feel to see three of the teams you follow drawn into the same Champions League group? What is your prediction about the outcome of this group?

Let’s see, if I remember correctly, that’s Group E and from the outset it looks like this:

Barcelona
Lyon
Stuttgart
Rangers

And that’s about how I estimate it to come out.

DaMarcus Beasley is a ‘Ger, so I’m rather partial to the Old Firm side. Rangers truly are the dark horses here: they’re capable of some major upsets. Problem is, though they’re enjoying some stunning form in the domestic league, they haven’t yet come up with a formula for European play. They struggled past Red Star Belgrade to qualify for the CL.

Barcelona is frighteningly good, inside Spain and out. Once Henry figures out how to play with his new outfit, I don’t think there’s a side in Europe which could stop them (sorry Blues).

Lyon are almost literally crippled. That said, it will be the kids like Kallstrom and Benzema who will lift the side to glory. If they can manage the minor miracle of qualifying for the knockouts, I think they’ll gain momentum. In other words, the longer they last, the better they’ll get.

Don’t know much about Stuttgart, but I do know that they’re a force to be reckoned with in the Bundesliga. They’re no Munich, but I think a third-place finish in this group of death sounds about right.

My predictions regardless, this group will without a doubt be one of the most exciting. I can’t wait.

Who is your favorite Lyon player? Which player do you think has/had the most impact at OL?

Damn. Couldn’t say. I’m partial to goalkeepers, and Coupet is a world-class netminder, but his reaction to Domenech’s preferences during the WC were pretty juvenile. I admire Cris: he’s a defensive stalwart and a perennial class act. I guess I’m just waiting for someone else to impress me. Kallstrom and Benzema are doing well in that regard. I can tell you who my least favorite Gone is, though: Fred. He’s bollocks.

Is there anything else you would like to share with us?

College is hard, but soccer helps. You stay classy, Lyon fans.

Our next interviewee is Joanna, who is NOT a Lyon fan but still has plenty to say about Les Gones. Joanna is a Marseille fan coming from generations of Marseille fans. She and I “met” over email – she sent me some very helpful links regarding French football, and we have been corresponding ever since.

Tell us about yourself. You say that OM is in your blood. What does that mean?

Simply that growing up, the only sport that mattered in my house was football, and the only team that mattered was OM. Marseille is quite a unique city in France – despite it being a French city, it is a foreign town, filled with many immigrants from North Africa and Italy. Many people here think of Marseille first, then our family’s country of origin, and then France. It’s why many of us are crazy about OM but not necessarily for the French National Team.

Marseille is also France’s biggest footballing city. Nowhere else in the country will you find people so passionate about the sport – no offense but the Stade de Gerland and the Parc de Princes are nothing compared to the Velodrome!

Marseille were traditionally France’s most successful team, but the club went downhill after their Champions League win in 1993 (note: Marseille were relegated to Ligue 2 due to a match fixing scandal). How does that affect you as a supporter?

It is disappointing that OM have not won a title in fifteen years, but being loyal to a team means supporting them even when they are losing. It’s also hard because before every season begins, Marseille are always announced as Lyon’s biggest competitor, but somehow their campaign falls apart while Lyon manages to keep going.

How do you feel about Lyon?

It’s mixed. I’m rather glad that France has at least one team that can compete with the bigger clubs in Europe. But I’ll also admit that I get tired of seeing Lyon win Le Championnat every year. Another thing I don’t like is that nowadays, most people think of Lyon when they think of French football. But Marseille is the only club with a European pedigree. So it annoys to see Lyon as the sole representative of France.

Unlike Marseille, St. Etienne, and even PSG, Lyon is not a sympathetic club. There is something cold and unapproachable about them, maybe it’s their insistence on perfection, or maybe it’s the cold-blooded way they win their games, but it’s refreshing to see Lyon when they regain their humanity (when they lose).

I also wonder how many fans Lyon would have if they stopped winning. Last year, their fans booed them at home against Rennes even though they unofficially won the title. I can tell you one thing, and that is even if Marseille never win a trophy again, I would never trade OM fans for OL fans.

At the beginning of the year, Marseille were slated to be the team that finally dethroned Lyon. What do you think happened?

It’s puzzling, but I think it’s just taking a long time for the team to connect and develop fluidity. Everyone thought that Marseille carried about the best summer mercato, bringing in Givet, Ziani, and Cisse. Ribery left, but it was better to sell him than keep an unhappy player. With Nasri taking more of an important role in the team, Marseille’s team has the most quality in the league, besides Lyon. I would even go so far as to say that the teams are closely competitive to each other. In theory, Marseille should be doing as well as Lyon, since both teams are above the others in Ligue 1.

I won’t blame Emon, because without him Marseille might not have qualified for the Champions League at all. And I think Emon is as good of a coach as Alain Perrin, or perhaps even better. But I have the sinking feeling that it will be Perrin lifting the trophy in May, not Emon. Still, I won’t give up hope on Marseille. We got second place last year with a day to spare, and I’m confident that even if we can’t win the title, we’ll still be able to make Lyon feel very uncomfortable.

The media claim that Lyon robs L1 of its talent. Do you agree?

To an extent, yes. Lyon offer better wages and are more of an attractive prospect for young, ambitious players seeking a place on the national team or in a bigger club. Once Lyon enter negotiations, it’s difficult for other French clubs to compete. They always get their pick of the best French talent. Players like Mathieu Bodmer, Kim Kallstrom, and Nadir Belhadj are willing to sit on the bench at Lyon, though they would be starters at any other club. And then you see players like Alou Diarra, Benoit Pedretti, and Jeremy Clement, who were wasted away on the bench and had to move to a smaller club because they weren’t being played by Lyon. The only good thing is Lyon’s inability to lure players from abroad. If they were bringing in players like Nicolas Anelka or David Trezeguet, Ligue 1 would be more unbalanced than it already is. I’m secretly glad that Lyon are having recruitment issues.

Lyon and Marseille will be L1’s sole representatives in the Champions League this year. How do you think they’ll do?

I think Marseille has a decent chance to get the second spot in the group. Liverpool will obviously be the group winners, but Porto isn’t as frightening as they used to be, and I believe we are a better team than Besiktas. We have the Velodrome, and I think even Liverpool will have a hard time there. So we’ll see.

As for Lyon, I thought it was the group of death at first, but I think Lyon will manage to qualify. They are a better team than Stuttgart and Rangers, and who knows, they might even shock Barcelona the way they did against Real Madrid.

Is there a particular Lyon player that you like? Or dislike?

It’s hard not to like Juninho. He might be playing for Lyon, but his presence in France is a boon for the entire league. He’s been around for a long time, and though I hate it when he plays well against Marseille, I would be sad if he left. I also admire Karim Benzema and wish he was at Marseille to play with Samir Nasri. What a lethal combination those two would make. He’s probably the best player to ever come out of Lyon’s academy and one of the few OL players I genuinely want to be successful.

What is your opinion on Jean-Michel Aulas? Savior or devil in disguise?

I will be truthful and say that part of my dislike of him is motivated by jealousy, because if Marseille had JMA as a president, we would have won the Champions League several times over. I sometimes think about the weird twist in fate that had Bernard Tapie convince JMA to take over Lyon in the late eighties. I admire the way JMA runs his club. Lyon are able to keep going regardless of the change in manager and the change in players. Marseille lost only one player of note [Ribery] and we still haven’t been able to pick up the pieces.

Maybe Lyon aren’t as strong as last year, but it’s clear that there is something elusive that separates the two teams on the pitch. Maybe it’s their mentality, or maybe it’s the water they drink, but I think it’s the confidence that JMA has in his club. No matter how disappointing Lyon are sometimes, such as their last few exits from the Champions League, he’s always supportive of his team (I acknowledge his efforts at taking the pressure off his coach and players by deflecting the criticism on himself – something that Pape Diouf rarely does).

Still, he’s a devil. It’s very easy to hate him, and I think only a Lyonnais can love him. He’s a brilliant businessman and the sole reason for Lyon’s success, but he seems to want Lyon to be successful at the expense of all other French clubs. And the things he says sometimes. It’s no wonder he and Raymond Domenech are friends! He’s so arrogant that I just want to see Lyon lose to wipe that smirk off his face.

Sidney Govou: a waste of space or a brilliant and misunderstood player?

I get the feeling you don’t like Govou, Inara. For me, I consider Govou to be a dangerous player when he is in form. He doesn’t create much and hardly scores, but he is a handful against opposition players, and he keeps defenders busy, which allows his teammates to slip inside the box. Of course he is no Ribery, but I’ve never minded his presence on the national team and think he has a lot to offer. Still, I would say that Govou isn’t as frightening to play against as even Keita or Ben Arfa.

Is there anything else you would like to share with us?

I think that this year there is a real title race, and I’ve very excited to see how everything unfolds towards the end of the season.

You mentioned that you have been a fan of Lyon since you were eight years old. In 1989, Lyon were still a small club that had only just made the jump from L2 to L1. Do you remember what it was that drew you to the club? Or did your family support Lyon and you just grew into the team?

What brought me to support Lyon is the game against Ales, which allowed us to go back up in then “division 1” [now Ligue 1]. I saw the atmosphere in the street of Lyon (I lived in Lyon for 12 years), and I felt really Lyonnais then. So I started following the games as best as I could. My parents didn’t want me to go to see games at the Gerland when I was young, but I followed the results after every game. Then, when I was old enough, I went to see games and really loved it. When I started living abroad, I followed the games through streams and radio…Still, every time I go to France, I go to the Gerland to watch some games.

Back in the early and mid nineties, did you ever think Lyon would grow as big as it has? Do you think Lyon can grow even bigger?

I really didn’t expect Lyon to grow as big. Ok, I did hope they would win “Le championnat” and always be one of the big teams up there, but I didn’t expect them to become as good as they are now. Lyon has worked really hard in the long run, but I didn’t think they would have made it that easily to the top for 6 years. I think it is also the other big French teams (Marseille, Paris, Monaco, Bordeaux, Nantes) that have lost their football at the same time.

I think Lyon will have difficulties to improve before the new stadium is built. I think we can beat any team in the world, but we still are slightly inferior to teams like Manchester/Chelsea/Milan/…etc. But as long as Aulas is the president, I don’t think we will stop growing.

In the 18 years you’ve been an OL fan, is there a particular moment that stood out for you? A victory or defeat, or something simple, like a moment from the game?

Lots of games stood out for me. One is obviously the win 3-1 over “RC Lens” (then first of table) on the last day for our first title. Also, I will always remember Lyon winning the return leg against “FC Bruges” 3-0 after having lost the away game 4-1. But even before the game was played in Gerland, I knew Lyon would qualify and score 3 goals because of how the players reacted in the interviews before the game. For me, this game was when the “never give up” attitude really appeared, and it never left the team since that game. Anything was possible. The two wins against Real in Gerland also stay in my memories. Lyon beginning to frighten the big European teams.

Some defeats did hurt: The 1/4 final we lost against Eindhoven… for me, that was the closest we ever were to a semi-final, and I was really gutted…

As for special moments: I was lucky enough to see the game at the Gerland against Paris after Jean-Yves and Mattias died. The silence was simply incredible. I will never forget.

Who is your favorite player? Which player do you think has had the most impact at Lyon in the past two decades?

I am not going to be really original there. Two players have changed the team… two Brazilians: Anderson and Juninho. Those two have not just improved the level of football, they changed the perception other clubs had of Lyon. All the teams would fear to meet Anderson, and all the teams fear to meet Juninho. They are not ordinary players. As soon as you manage to make the opposing team think you are better than them, your team is respected and feared. They were/are also real leaders and have this “we can do it” attitude. They dragged the team up.

There have been eight different managers at Lyon since you became a fan. Is there one that you liked in particular? Disliked?

For me, the two best were Tigana and Le Guen. If I had to choose one of those two, I would say Le Guen. He created a great atmosphere in the team, and understood that the results would come by keeping it simple. The players all loved him, and this is what I want to see. The manager I disliked the most was Houiller, because he created unnecessary tensions in the team. Also, I hated his mentality of “score one goal, and keep the result”. I want to see some “football champagne” with Lyon, I don’t want to see all the players in their 45 meters! He gave the players a bad mentality and thus problems.

What is your opinion on Jean-Michel Aulas? Savior or devil in disguise?

For me Jean-Michel Aulas is the best president you could wish for. People always say that Lyon only win “Le championnat” because of the money, but those same people forget that less than 20 years ago, we were still in “division 2″ with a ridiculous budget. Aulas didn’t bring a lot of money, the money came with the good results, and still nowadays, all the money comes from small investors compared to the big guns like Chelsea (Abramovic), Manchester (Glazer), Madrid (The king of Spain wipes off all the debts), AC Milan (Berlusconi),… etc.

Aulas has a vision on a grand scale. He only made promises on the long run and did achieve them all. He didn’t as we say in French “bruler les etapes”. The only risk he took in the 20 years in charge of Lyon was to buy Sonny Anderson, but the risk was successful, and it is actually this risk that allowed Lyon to win the title.

Okay, JMA often talks too much especially nowadays, but I think he only does it to protect the players. All the big clubs in Europe have a lot of internal problems after some success. JMA avoided those internal problems by staying up front all the time and focusing all the attention on him more than on the players. It is genius!

I think he also knows Lyon has reached a limit in their development, and that for the time being, they can’t really improve the team a lot more (Lyon can’t afford any of the big names salaries). So the new stadium will allow Lyon to take another step forward. He won’t have to lose money on the stadium anymore and will actually make some! Aulas understands better than anyone that Football is not just about football anymore, but about a “trade mark” and “money”. Aulas is no devil, he is always one step ahead of everyone. He is an economic genius and works a lot for the team.

How difficult is it following Lyon from Japan? Are you the only Lyon fan over there, or have you met any others?

It is quite tough to follow Lyon here in COUNTRYSIDE Japan. I am lucky enough to live just 10 kms from J-Village: a national youth training ground. The future stars of Japanese football are going to come out of this academy. And the coach is French (Claude Dusseau). He used to train the youngsters in Clairefontaine, and now that he is retired in France, he is working here. So I can stay in contact with the French football when I go and teach there. But I haven’t met any Lyon fans here in the countryside. They know about Juninho, but most of them don’t even know the team. So I am covering the walls of the school with OL posters and have also put up a Champions League poster so the students can follow the results of the team. So Lyon had better do well this season!

Sidney Govou: a waste of space or a brilliant and misunderstood player?

I loved him alongside Sonny Anderson… but since then he hasn’t done a lot to me. Nevertheless, he is good for the team’s spirit (if you put aside what he said about Juninho), so I’d rather have him than anyone else on the right… Lyon is doing well thanks to the team’s spirit, and Govou is part of it.

Is there anything else you would like to share with us?

I am happy, and I think Lyon can bring back the 3 points from Nou Camp.

The first up is Guignol. Not only was he responsible for yesterday’s post, but he has also graciously agreed to be interviewed.

I first came across Guignol when I joined the BigSoccer forums. Until then, I had never interacted with other Lyon fans before, as the world of online blogging and forums were pretty new to me (what rock was I living under?). As the moderator of the French forums and a diehard Lyon fan, he and the other forumers quickly welcomed me into the tight-knit albeit small Lyon community there. I was happy to discover other English speaking Lyon fans, including a good amount of Americans. It’s a fun place to post, so I advise all of you to check it out (here).

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Tell us a little about yourself. Where are you from in America and how did you end up in Lyon? Are you enjoying living there?

I was born in a little town in California but started traveling 30 years ago and never really stopped until I met my wife. She’s from Provence, but we fell in love with Lyon the first time we saw it; we’ve been here now for16 years. It’s a magnificent city, with all the cultural and practical advantages of a metropolis but without the headaches of places like Paris or London.

Have you always been a football (soccer) fan?

I’ve always liked sports in general, and even played a bit of soccer in younger days, so when I moved to Europe it was normal to follow soccer, more as a replacement for baseball and gridiron at first. I didn’t understand it very well, but the knowledge and the passion rubs off on you… it’s the only sport that really matters to me now.

How did you end up becoming a Lyon fan?

The first time I saw OL I actually rooted AGAINST them! It was in the second division, and I supported FC Martigues, where I was living in those days. When Martigues was promoted to D1 I went to go see them in Lyon… but was seduced immediately by OL’s “champagne football”, what they call joga bonita these days. Coach Tigana really believed in giving the fans something to watch, and that tradition has continued. I bought a scarf the very next week and have been going to Gerland ever since.

It’s been a long time since you’ve been supporting Lyon. Back in the early nineties, did you ever think Lyon would grow as big as it has? Do you think Lyon can grow even bigger?

When OL finished second behind Nantes in 1995, we had some dreams of greatness, but that bubble burst quickly. The results went downhill, and selling off players like Giuly, N’Gotty and Maurice seemed to betray a lack of ambition on the part of Aulas and the club. OL seemed content with their tradition of being a cup club… little did we realize!

Get bigger? OL is already as big as they need to be in sporting terms; winning the CL is a yearly crapshoot between a handful of clubs and OL’s number will eventually come up if they stay in that handful. The club is run for the long term, like a business, by a successful businessman. Their financial progression is impressive and with the new stadium will continue. So there’s no reason why not.

Is there a particular event that stands out for you? A victory or defeat, or something simple, like a moment from the game?

There are obviously lots of memories everyone knows about, but the strongest ones have to be when you’re actually at the stadium. My first real thrill was when we beat OM in 1993 with 2 goals by Abédi Pele. At that moment it seemed a dazzling achievement, but it’s clear that can’t hold a candle to beating Bruges in the UEFA cup! 3-0 was the minimum to get through and Sonny’s hat-trick did it! But even better than that? The first time I took my son to Gerland OL beat Rosenborg 5-0. Seeing your cub thrilled like that, that’s tops.

Who is your favorite player? Which player do you think has had the most impact at Lyon in the past two decades?

Sonny Anderson. No other answer is possible and no explanation is necessary.

What is your opinion on Jean-Michel Aulas? Savior or devil in disguise?

JMA has a lot of doubters, but not nearly as many as in the 90’s and he proved them stone dead wrong! Sure he’s reviled throughout the league for a troublemaker and a sore loser. People say he’s an egomaniac. They say OL’s money is ruining the league. It’s all sour grapes. First of all, if Aulas pulls the attention to himself, it’s to get them off the backs of the coach and the players. And when he complains about something he doesn’t just blab like Domenech with his latest pearl, he bulds a solid case with witnesses and notarized facts. And as for him buying OL’s way to the top? Even after our first 2 or 3 championships both OM and PSG had bigger budgets, they just didn’t didn’t use the money wisely. Even today our budget would probably be lower if you took away the CL money and other premiums that are won on the field. You can say OL makes their money the old fashioned way… they earn it!

Sidney Govou: a waste of space or a brilliant and misunderstood player?

Well Sid is not exactly the most reliable player in front of the goal mouth, though he can score goals, and when he does they’re stunners. But his real value is plugging away on the wing, winning and keeping balls, keeping the defense honest with his speed, helping out on defense… you really have to watch his whole match to judge him, and I’v never seen him not contribute something. He has a reputation as a party hound, which is not false but rather exaggerated, but he is always in rock solid condition and he leaves it all on the field week after week. I’m sure you can find 11 right wingers in Europe better than he, but contrariwise if you had to build a whole team with 11 clones of the same player, he’d be a great choice!

Is there anything else you would like to share with us?

Just thanks for all your great work here on Offside, spreading the good news, and of course, ALLEZ L’OL!!!