Lyon vs Bordeaux

By: Megame | February 6th, 2011

A crucial encounter. Rather than a pleasant wine contest between Cotes du Rhône and Bordeaux, tonight’s game will leave at least a big gun with a sour taste in the mouth… And it’d better be Bordeaux, if you ask me.

Remember… this must have been a century ago : Bordeaux versus Lyon, a Champions League quarter final. Long gone are these glory days… Today, both eliminated from the Coupe de France and authors of several series of sub-standard performances since the start of the season, Lyon and Bordeaux clash tonight at the Stade Gerland, closing a 22nd Ligue 1 matchday which saw Marseille, Rennes and Saint-Etienne win. So it’s a euphemism to say they wouldn’t mind getting a few points if they are to keep their hopes alive.
Lyon currently stand 6th (one level below St Etienne, ouch); they will be 3d if they win, and even 2d if they do so by 3 goals difference or more. As for Bordeaux, they’re 11th before the game and will be 7th if they win. Woe to the loser.

OK, at the end of 2010 it looked like there was a bigger gap between the two teams, as Bordeaux never felt like the dominant force of French football it was in the first half of last season; but, just as it seemed Lyon’s woes were finally behind, two losses, against Nice in Coupe de France, and Valenciennes in L1, came as a loud reminder that something was wrong with the players : lack of hunger, or form, or hatred of losing, or of the three altogether.

Finally understanding that having sold Chamakh and Gourcuff without replacing them may have weakened the team, the Girondins were reinforced during the winter transfer period, notably by hiring Brazilian striker Andre. But injuries continue to plague the group of Jean Tigana. Thus, in central defense, Marc Planus is still missing. So it is a team close to the one pitifully eliminated in Coupe de France in Angers which should be fielded at the Stade Gerland, with Chalmé-L. Sane-Ciani-Trémoulinas behind Fernando-A. Diarra in defensive midfield, Plasil-Jussi Ben Khalfallah in animation, and a single striker which will likely be Modeste (named appropriately, as he remains largely unknown whereas he already scored 8 goals this season, just like Lisandro and Gomis..), and possibly André in the second half.

On the Lyon side, let’s hope the hangover is gone. The defeat against Valenciennes was considered an accident, and Claude Puel is confident in the ability of his players, too often suspect of cherry-picking their games, to rally against a “major” championship match. However the doubt remains; exactly what’s wrong with several key players isn’t clear. In an interview with regional daily Le Progrès, Yoann Gourcuff has expressed his frustration after his disappointing start of the season. In another, he mentioned Puel had a different game philosophy than his… To which Puel responded what he wants is mature players who take responsibility and do not look for excuses when they don’t perform at their level. I love you, you love me, we’re a happy family… So, whilst one of the things Gourcuff needs to improve is playing time, Puel may well do with him like he did with Lisandro, left on the bench once after a disappointing display, and who came back all wound up the game after. If this were the case, tonight could then be Pjanic’s moment…again.

Allez les Lyonnais!

The likely teams:
The Bordelais: Carrasso – Chalmé, L. Sané, Ciani, Trémoulinas – Fernando, A. Diarra – Plasil, Jussiê, Ben Khalfallah – Modeste (or Diabaté)

The Lyonnais: Lloris – Réveillère, Cris, Diakhaté, Cissokho – Gourcuff (or Pjanic), Toulalan, Källström – Bastos, Gomis, Lisandro

Some Related Lyon Posts:

Category: Team News and Rumors

« Valenciennes vs Lyon | Home | St Etienne vs Lyon : Beat the chicks, or turn the other (cheek)? »

ederson honorato campos

Say goodby to both Aly and Hugo!! http://www.goal.com/en/news/11...

http://www.mercato365.com/info...
Tandblekning

Time to start getting the three points now. Next match against St. Etienne is critical. You win the league this time every year..
Carvivlie

Can't afford to draw or lose anymore games. Next week's is huge against St. Etienne.
AlexT

good to see Gourcuff looking good again
Samirm1991

I told yuo gays, some players dont deservr to play in Lyon...we play like we have less playsrs on the pitch.
Gomis shold sit on the bench...and let Lisandro play in centre
LLORIS
REVV CRIS LOVREN ALY
TOULALAN
BRIAND GOURCUFF PJANIC BASTOS
LISANDRO
This is our best line up. And why Pjanic and Gourcuff dont play together, TOL and KALL are too defensive
John

The problem is, with our two center backs, we need as much defense in the midfeild as possible, so I don't think we could go with such an offensive formation. The Gourcuff-Toul-Kall axis seems well balanced: you have an AMF-DMF-CMF. Also, it remains to be seen how two AMFs would work if one playing alone can't seem to get their shit together. Who knows what it would take to turn this offense around. It's seems a deeper problem than just a formation or a particular combo of players.
Samirm1991

Attack is the best defence...look barca :D
muffin

Something needs to be changed soon. It's obvious this formation is a bit "worn out".
Puel should try to put Licha back to CF with Briand on right, try with Pjanić alongside Gourcuff cos we need more creativity, Lovren should play instead of Diakhate (where were he and Lacazette today anyway?!), and Lacazette should come off the bench regularly. We need something that will light a spark in the team; our youngsters might do the trick and some refreshing of the lineup.
john

Lacazette is definately the only spark we have coming off the bench- like a little Lisandro in reserve- when Puel includes him in the group that is. I think he and Gomis coming off the bench would be a good combination.
lefutur

I couldn't agree more with you. Its a mystery to me that Puel isnt using Lacazette more. There is a serious lack of urgency with this team sometimes, and using some of the more promising youth players will instill some spark to the players who "cherry pick" their games.
Mero

I want to vomit.

Awful performance. OL match are the most boring match of all the league almost.

I am glad I decided to boycott attending games at Gerland until Puel is sacked.
Stanley

i think the players just look lost. I dunno if it is the coach but it seems like way too many balls are being chipped or played through the air. What happened to that quick one-two and great link up play that made us champions. Also my complaint about Gourcuff is it seems like he is incapable of turning with the ball he always has to go backwards then across the field to go start going forward. Im starting to get worried at this point i'm waiting to see what Ederson can offer
Megame

Crap. 0-0 . Not only do we only get one point, but also we haven't improved our goal difference. So we're exactly on par with St Etienne in terms of points and goal difference.. but they're ahead of us as they won our direct opposition. So St Etienne 5th, Lyon 6th.
john

This whole Lisandro-on-the-wing thing, is starting to remind me of the Benzema situation: a waste of talent- though Lilo is a much better winger. Licha needs to move back to the center and Gomis come off the bench.
sdzsdz

gomis needs to learn how to stand on his two feet and stop flopping every two seconds...
Megame

I can't believe how this one didn't get in!
Megame

Oh my. How close was that header!
Megame

try this:
http://domacifilmovi.us/ch5.ph...
Megame

Personally I found an interesting option to see and watch Live games to be Bet365.com, as they always show the Lyon games in good quality. You need a funded account to access the bet365 streams. You will need to have a minimum of 1pence/1cent in your bet365 account (I have a few bucks) in order to view the stream or have placed a bet within the last 24 hours (if you dont have a funded account).
John

Why are there no streams anywhere?
Megame

The starting teams:
LYON : Lloris - Réveillère, Cris, Diakhaté, Cissokho - Källström, Toulalan, Gourcuff - Bastos, Gomis, Lisandro
BORDEAUX : Carrasso - Chalmé, Sané, Ciani, Trémoulinas - Fernando, Diarra - Plasil, Jussiê, Ben Khalfallah - Modeste
Megame

Oh and the OL Féminines won against PSG (3-0), and that's the 15th time in a row. Having beaten main rivals Juvisy and PSG they are now closer than ever to their 5th consecutive title...