Vive la France
Tuesday, October 7, 2003
Article summary
With four wins from six games, French clubs are making their mark in the UEFA Champions League.
Article body
By Matthew Spiro
French clubs have enjoyed a promising start to this season's UEFA Champions League, as they look to repair the damage of the last year that saw all three sides eliminated in the first group stage.
Improved results
Olympique Lyonnais, AS Monaco FC and Olympique de Marseille have collected four wins from their first six matches - a vast improvement on this time last season when France's three representatives had just one victory between them. The hard work may just be beginning, but it is the manner of the victories that is raising hopes of a European revival among French supporters.
Deportivo challenge
Monaco's two wins have been the most impressive - 2-1 at PSV Eindhoven and 4-0 at home against AEK Athens FC. However, it is the results of their next two matches - away and then at home against group favourites RC Deportivo La Coruña - that will provide a clearer indication of their potential.
Deschamps cautious
"There is still a lot of work to be done," said coach Didier Deschamps. "You don't win 4-0 in the Champions League often, so I'm pleased. But at the same time [AEK] had a lot of chances and against better opposition we would have been punished."
Morientes magic
Monaco's form this season has been based on a solid defence. The back four of Gaël Givet, Patrice Evra, Sébastien Squillaci and Julien Rodriguez has an average age of 23 and they look set to form the foundations of the side for years to come. However, the biggest plus for the French league leaders has been the speed with which Fernando Morientes has settled following his loan move from Real Madrid CF.
'The next level'
The Spain striker, signed to replace long-term injury victim Shabani Nonda, has already scored three Champions League goals, and Deschamps enthused: "His technical game is extraordinary - his control, hold-up play and passing set the standard for the rest. But while he is a big star on the pitch he does not act like one off it, and the other players respect that." Captain Ludovic Giuly added: "Fernando has taken us to that next level. He makes football look so easy."
European experience
While Monaco top Group C, Marseille and Lyon have more work to do after picking up three points each from two games. But Marseille's 3-0 victory over FK Partizan showed just how formidable they can be at the Stade Vélodrome, and Lyon's European experience - this is their fourth successive Champions League campaign - should help them in their bid to qualify from Group A.
Second place
Marseille coach Alain Perrin believes his team are effectively facing a battle for second place in Group F, with Madrid favourites to finish top, and admitted that the next two games - home and away against FC Porto - will be decisive.
Top scorer
"Realistically it is now between us, Porto and Partizan for second," he said. "We have shown what we can do at home and we need to repeat that against Porto." Perrin will be looking for more inspiration from Didier Drogba - the tournament's top scorer with four goals.
'A great chance'
Lyon, meanwhile, must bounce back from their 2-0 defeat at Celtic FC when they face FC Bayern München at the Stade Gerland. "The Celtic result was a big disappointment," admitted coach Paul Le Guen. Midfield player Eric Carrière, however, is remaining upbeat. "If we win our last two home matches, we have a great chance, and I certainly don't think that beating Bayern at home is beyond us."
