Lille held in French goal drought
Sunday, February 12, 2006
Article summary
Two Ligue 1 matches yielded no goals as LOSC Lille Métropole and Olympique de Marseille both drew blanks ahead of their UEFA Cup ties.
Article body
LOSC Lille Métropole missed out on the opportunity to go third in the Ligue 1 standings after a goalless draw against Paris Saint-Germain FC, while Sunday's other game between Olympique de Marseille and Toulouse FC also ended 0-0.
Adverse weather
In damp, muddy conditions, Lille saw their attack blunted, although Matt Moussilou and Geoffrey Dernis both hit the woodwork. They remain two points behind third-placed AJ Auxerre and one ahead of PSG in fifth, and next face FC Shakhtar Donetsk in the UEFA Cup round of 32 on Wednesday.
New partnership
Marseille's ambitions of climbing the table were also dented as they failed to break down Toulouse at the Stade Vélodrome. Mamadou Niang made his return from the African Cup of Nations and played up front alongside Mickaël Pagis for the first time, but both men were kept out by Toulouse's reserve goalkeeper Nicolas Douchez.
Unbeaten run
Marseille also have a midweek UEFA Cup tie, away against Premiership side Bolton Wanderers FC. Toulouse, meanwhile, move two places to 12th after extending their unbeaten run to six matches.