PSG stirred after sinking old foes
Monday, October 27, 2008
Article summary
Nobody could be accused of understatement in the Paris Saint-Germain camp on Sunday, with club president Charles Villeneuve talking of "making history" after a first win at fierce rivals Olympique de Marseille since 2003.
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Unanswered goals
The hosts went into their 59th Ligue 1 showdown with the only other French side to have lifted a European trophy knowing maximum points would take them top ahead of Olympique Lyonnais. Instead, they surrendered the last unbeaten record in France's top flight, with Guillaume Hoarau giving PSG an early advantage. Marseille levelled through Mamadou Niang, before Mathieu Valbuena fired them ahead on the stroke of half-time, but although Benoît Cheyrou then struck the crossbar after the break, the visitors responded with three unanswered goals, including a second for Hoarau.
Joint-top scorer
That took Paul Le Guen's men up to sixth in the standings, two points behind their perennial foes. "As against [FC] Lorient last week, we proved strong enough to come back, both as a team and physically," said Hoarau, now the division's joint-top scorer with Lyon's Karim Benzema on six goals. The summer signing from Le Havre AC could even have had a hat-trick had he got a touch on Jérôme Rothen's free-kick 13 minutes from time. "I left that goal to Jérôme, who struck it perfectly."
Villeneuve praise
The happiest man in the away party was Villeneuve, however. "We made history," enthused the erstwhile broadcaster and television producer. "The whole team needs to be praised, especially Péguy Luyindula and Guillaume Hoarau. It shouldn't be long before they receive France team call-ups." Villeneuve also saluted Le Guen, and the former Rangers FC manager was keen to defend himself following criticism in the wake of Thursday's 3-1 UEFA Cup defeat at FC Schalke 04. The Parc des Princes outfit fielded a young side for their Group A opener, with Le Guen anxious to keep players fresh for Marseille. "I rotate for the good of the team," he said.
Midweek games
His counterpart Erik Gerets felt extreme frustration, meanwhile: "In the first half, we had the game in our hands. With a 2-1 lead, we could have sewn up the match. But the attitude of my players pleased me. If they carry on like that, we'll experience better moments." Neither club can afford to dwell too much on their weekend meeting, though, as they return to league action on Wednesday, when PSG entertain fifth-placed Toulouse FC and Marseille travel to FC Nantes Atlantique, in 15th.
