Proven talents give French trio hope

Questions raised
Before Matchday 4, the leading trio in Ligue 1 had accrued just eight points between them from a possible 27, including a meagre two wins. Having lost all their fixtures, principal offenders Marseille possessed the worst record in the competition bar FC Basel 1893, and questions were being raised about the ability of France's finest to compete at the highest level. The country's first Matchday clean sweep in four years cannot erase all of those concerns, but there can be no doubt that all three possess sublime individual talent capable of turning any game.

Juninho skill
In Lyon's case, Brazilian midfielder Juninho Pernambucano has been winning matches for years, and he set Claude Puel's men on the road to a 2-0 victory against FC Steaua Bucureşti on Wednesday with his 40th goal from a free-kick since joining from CR Vasco de Gama in 2001. It was also his 16th for Lyon in UEFA competition, equalling compatriot Sonny Anderson as the club's most prolific marksman in Europe. "I'm level with Sonny, who was a great striker," said the 33-year-old. "But I consider myself a midfielder, not a striker. Sonny got there in four years and it's my eighth season here."

Ben Arfa influence
The win took Lyon within touching distance of a berth in the last 16, and they will be keen to confirm their qualification at ACF Fiorentina on 25 November, with Marseille breathing down their necks in the domestic arena. Les Minots lie four points behind ahead of their trip to Grenoble Foot 38 on Saturday – Lyon are away to AS Monaco FC – and they will be buzzing after going third in Group D with a 3-0 triumph over PSV Eindhoven. Striker Mamadou Niang took the plaudits with two fine finishes and playmaker Hatem Ben Arfa also excelled, mocking the heavy conditions with a slew of superior through balls. A slight muscle complaint may sideline the French international this weekend, however. "He's conscious of his importance to the team, so he'll do everything he can to be fit," said coach Erik Gerets.

Gourcuff goal
France is certainly blessed with young attacking midfielders, as Ben Arfa's international colleague Yoann Gourcuff has also been in sparkling form and struck again as Bordeaux won 2-1 at CFR 1907 Cluj to boost their qualification hopes in Group A. His sixth-minute opener may not have been one of his more spectacular efforts, but the 22-year-old continues to make his presence felt in big games and ought to be an important figure again when Les Marine et Blanc aim to close the two-point gap on Marseille at home against AJ Auxerre on Saturday. "Physically he's good, technically he's good and, above all, he's intelligent," Laurent Blanc said recently. "He's got what it takes to have a great career."