Cup chance keeps Lyon hungry
Monday, March 20, 2006
Article summary
Olympique Lyonnais are preparing to start their title celebrations after a 4-0 weekend win, but a first French Cup triumph since 1972/73 is also on the cards.
Article body
Olympique Lyonnais are preparing to start their title celebrations after a 4-0 weekend win extended their lead at the top of Ligue 1 to eleven points.
Impressive lead
Struggling FC Sochaux-Montbéliard were blown away with a 4-0 defeat at home to leave Lyon on course to claim their fifth successive Ligue 1 crown. Second-placed FC Girondins de Bordeaux drew 1-1 against ES Troyes Aube Champagne to allow Gérard Houllier's side to increase an already impressive lead with eight games to go. "The league is not over as long as we are not champions, but it's true that our lead is a significant one," said goalkeeper Grégory Coupet. Houllier added: "The situation is simple now. We need four wins in our last eight games to be sure we are champions. With 80 points no one will be able to catch us."
Target date
By most experts' assessments, Lyon will claim their latest title on 15 April at Paris Saint-Germain FC, just three days before the UEFA Champions League semi-finals. Second-placed Bordeaux, meanwhile, have long since given up hope of usurping the leaders and are battling to hold on to second place. "I always said that we would be here in the event of Lyon misfiring, especially if they collapsed due to the high number of competitions they are involved in," said Bordeaux coach Ricardo Gomes. "It does not seem that that is going to be the case. Our first target now is to keep looking over our shoulders."
Cup test
With Sidney Govou returning from injury against Sochaux, Lyon are looking ahead to their Tuesday meeting with Ligue 2 leaders SC Bastia in the third round of the French Cup - a competition Lyon have not won since 1972/73. Second-in-command Patrice Barques said: "The French Cup is one of our main goals." Defenders Claudio Caçapa and Anthony Reveillère will almost certainly be in the starting lineup to face Bastia with Sylvain Monsoreau and Jérémy Berthod the only players still on the injury list prior to Lyon's UEFA Champions League quarter-final first leg against AC Milan on 29 March.
