Auxerre aim to tame Lyon
Friday, January 20, 2006
Article summary
AJ Auxerre will look to resurrect their faltering challenge for the Ligue 1 title when they face runaway leaders Olympique Lyonnais this weekend.
Article body
Fickle form
Auxerre's only previous league crown came in 1995/96, and their chances of adding another this term seem slim after some fickle recent form. Jacques Santini's team have lost three of their last five games, with the last of those defeats seeing them concede second place to FC Girondins de Bordeaux. With Lyon having lost just once all season, runners-up spot and automatic UEFA Champions League qualification is now a more attainable target.
Personnel problems
Auxerre's hopes of a dramatic late surge have been further hampered by the departures of striker Benjani Mwaruwari and midfielder Vassiriki Diaby to English Premiership duo Portsmouth FC and Arsenal FC. To compound matters, no fewer than four defenders are currently sidelined and Santini is not overly confident about their weekend prospects.
Simply survival
"Considering the difficult situation we are in, in terms of available players, we'll just try to survive at Gerland," the former France coach said. Santini also had a spell at Lyon, guiding them to the 2001/02 championship, the first of four consecutive titles that could well become five before May arrives. Auxerrre forward Péguy Luyindula picked up three of those championship medals but could be denied a Gerland reunion by a groin strain.
Lille hope
There is hope for Auxerre, however, as LOSC Lille Métropole proved on 16 December when they beat Lyon 3-1. "They did it," said midfielder Lionel Mathis, "so we can too." They will have to halt a winless away record against their hosts stretching back ten years, with memories of league and cup defeats at the hands of Lyon earlier this season also fresh in the memory.
Defensive worries
Juninho Pernambucano scored in both those games to make it three in three against Auxerre, and he could add to that tally after overcoming an ankle knock. Brazilian team-mate Claudio Caçapa is out though after tearing his thigh, and with Eric Abidal injured and Lamine Diatta at the African Cup of Nations, Gérard Houllier has been presented with a defensive headache. There is hope for Auxerre after all.
