'Winning culture' imbibes Lyon

By Chris Burke

Lyon healthy
A few weeks ago, Lyon seemed to be in the grip of an injury crisis but, after a youthful side beat AC Sparta Praha 5-0 on Wednesday, the club's fortunes could hardly look healthier. "We've got a winning culture here and we want to leave our mark on history," said president Jean-Michel Aulas. Top-scorers in the Champions League group stage, five points clear and still unbeaten in Ligue 1, Lyon look ready to fulfil their ambitions.

Tough game
"We won't get big-headed, though," said full-back Anthony Réveillère, "We know it will be a tough game against Bordeaux." Captain Sidney Govou returns to the side, as does Sylvain Wiltord, against the team he won a championship with in 1999. That was the last time seventh-placed Bordeaux won this fixture, and they will be without November's player of the month, the suspended Camel Meriem, as they aim to improve on a run of one goal in three matches.

Monaco recovery
AS Monaco FC also scored five in midweek, against RC Deportivo La Coruña, and the principality side are showing signs of recovery. "Now we have to repeat that display in the league, but it will be harder against Bastia," said coach Didier Deschamps. One of three teams on 26 points, Monaco travel to the relegation-threatened Corsican club with Patrice Evra a major injury doubt.

Brothers reunited
AJ Auxerre and FC Sochaux-Montbéliard are above them on goal difference, and the task facing Auxerre, deprived of captain Yann Lachuer, is a tricky away trip to third-placed Olympique de Marseille in which Auxerre's Benoît Cheyrou will play against brother Bruno for the first time. Four points ahead of Marseille, the brothers' former team LOSC Lille Métropole entertain struggling FC Nantes Atlantique.

Halilhodzic ban
Paris Saint-Germain FC need to bounce back from their European exit against Sochaux on Sunday, a match which marks the start of a two-month touchline ban for coach Vahid Halilhodzic. In the weekend's other games, FC Metz face RC Strasbourg, OGC Nice take on AC Ajaccio, Stade Rennais FC play RC Lens, AS Saint-Etienne entertain SM Caen and bottom-side FC Istres travel to Toulouse FC after recording their first win last week.