OL-OM : just possibly the most decisive game of the season
By: Megame | May 8th, 2011There are days like this when as a supporter you wonder what’s going to happen to you ahead of a big game. Excitation, tension, explosion.. (and, for OL supporters after a no-match like against Toulouse last week, frustration and desperation).
And today is one heck of a big game. In a nutshell, with only 4 games to go after this one, it will probably decide whether OL still has a chance to stay on the podium and play the Champions League next year. As one can see in the rankings, a win against Marseille wouldn’t allow us to overtake them, as they will remain second regardless of the result; but it would allow to overtake PSG, very comfortable in their suit of Lyon hunters, and get back on the podium:
1 Lille 66 pts, +29 goals difference
2 Marseille 62 pts, +21 goals difference
3 Paris-SG 57 pts, +16 goals difference
4 Lyon 56 pts, +22 goals difference
5 Rennes 52 pts, +5 goals difference
Hoping for a brace of goals?
Whilst it is difficult to guess what to expect (in other terms, with what mindset OL players will show up this time), a 5-5 scoreline like last year, although memorable and hoped for by the spectators, is not plausible. With a solid defense, embodied by Captain Mandanda and his fantastic season, Marseille is not likely to concede 5 times. Regarding Lyon defense, any comment is superfluous after the Montpellier and Toulouse games; and that will even more be the case in the absence of Cissokho.
The current form:
OM has been criticised this season for shaky performances, but they’re second in the championnat and that’s for a reason. With the 3rd attack of the Championship and the 2nd defense, it is well balanced. Granted, style may not have always been there, but results have, and this efficacy has become a trademark. They have a balance of very experienced players like Gaby Heinze, and very young, promising players like Andre Ayew and his even younger brother Jordan.
The Marseilles attack often took, this season, the form of a puzzle quite difficult to assemble. But one of its pieces, former Lyonnais Loïc Rémy, is back after a three match ban full of energy and hunger, judging from his training sessions; so he should find the axis of the marseillaise attack, probably with Mathieu Valbuena and André Ayew at his side. As too often in the past games, we’re likely to be stung by a former OL player, so it’s very likely we might get stung by Loïc Rémy…
On the OL side, as if the total absence, the unexplainable no-game of last week in Toulouse wasn’t enough, the team is also decimated. Yoann Gourcuff has just been declared unfit because of a painful right adductor, which is yet another blow for Claude Puel, who will have to do already without several starters: Cissokho and Bastos are suspended following their expulsion last weekend in Toulouse (0-2) whereas Toulalan and Ederson are still injured.
Only -moderately- good news, Miralem Pjanic returns in the group after two matches of suspension. Cris should be starting in central defense with Dejan Lovren, and on the left Thimothée Kolodziejczak seems likely to start, because Kim Källström is likely to play in the midfield in the absence of Gourcuff.
The probable teams:
OM : Mandanda – Fanni, Heinze, Diawara, Taïwo – Cissé, Lucho, Cheyrou – A. Ayew, Valbuena, Rémy
OL : Lloris – Reveillère, Lovren, Cris, Kolodzieczak – Kallstrom, Gonalons, Pjanic – Lisandro, Delgado, Gomis.
Allez l’OL, make us proud!
Some Related Lyon Posts:
Category: Team News and Rumors
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