Giuly excited by latest Monaco reunion
Tuesday, September 23, 2008
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Paris Saint-Germain FC begin their defence of the French League Cup on Wednesday at AS Monaco FC allowing winger Ludovic Giuly to make a second return to the Stade Louis II since coming back to Ligue 1.
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Memories
Giuly spent six successful seasons at Monaco culminating in a 2004 UEFA Champions League final appearance before joining FC Barcelona. Having returned to France with PSG in the summer, the 32-year-old actually made his Ligue 1 debut for his new side at his old home as the capital club lost 1-0 at Monaco on 9 August, but this second game will have resonance as he helped Les Rouge et Blanc to their only League Cup triumph in 2003. "Of course we are aiming for a better result this time," Giuly said. "The players have changed but I still have friends over there. I have also tons of memories."
Competition
PSG took the League Cup for a record third time last season and begin their campaign this week in the last 32 along with 18 other top-flight teams, with the sides who gained automatic places in the UEFA Champions League group stage having byes to the next round in November. Olympique de Marseille came through the UEFA Champions League third qualifying round meaning they enter the League Cup on Wednesday with a trip to Ligue 1 bottom side FC Sochaux-Montbéliard. There are four other all top-flight games; Tuesday's encounter between AJ Auxerre and Toulouse FC plus Stade Rennais FC against Le Mans UC 72, Grenoble Foot 38 versus AS Nancy-Lorraine and Le Havre AC playing SM Caen.