Lyon expected to confirm superiority
Wednesday, July 27, 2005
Article summary
The French season gets started with the traditional duel between the Ligue 1 champions and French Cup winners.
Article body
Preparation game
Since 1997 the Trophée des Champions has brought together the Ligue 1 champions and French Cup winners in a game which is more a preparation for the new campaign than a high-stakes encounter.
New coaches
Four-time champions Lyon have won the Super Cup in each of the last three seasons, defeating Auxerre 2-1 in the 2003 edition. Two years on, the clubs do battle again with new coaches in charge - both with national team and English Premiership experience. In May, Jacques Santini replaced Guy Roux at Auxerre while Gérard Houllier had been named as Paul Le Guen's successor at Lyon just a few days before.
Lyon favourites
Lyon beat Paris Saint-Germain FC in this fixture last summer on a shots-on-goal rule after a 1-1 draw in Cannes. Although they are back from a demanding tour of the Korean Republic, Houllier's side will again be favourites as Auxerre have several players missing.
