Shah
30 Aug 2002, 11:41 AM
My reaction to the French CL draw was that it was fairly positive with one of the three teams a good chance to qualify, and one other a good outside chance. It will pit French clubs against tough opposition and I look forward to seeing how our clubs do.
AJ Auxerre: Their draw is a tough one with Arsenal, Borussia Dortmund and PSV in the same group. Their match with Arsenal will truly be a French affair as the Gunners have 4 French internationals, while Auxerre has Cisse and Kapo (both in the sqaud against Cyprus) senegalese star Fadiga and the man Jacques Santini snubbed, Jean-Alain Boumsong. I think both matches with Arsenal will be highly entertaining affairs. The squad is young, much younger than any of their opponets. I see Arsenal winningthe group with Dortmund finishing second. It is tough going up against the defedning English and German champions. I do think Auxerre can get third spot and will move into the UEFA Cup. PSV do not look all that intimidating. Cisse of course will have ot carry a lot of weight on his shoulders, but he is not the only rising star on the club (the aforementioned others plus the likes of Teemu Tainio and Benjamin Mwuarwu are definetly gifted players on the rise). I could see a second place finish if they are able to handle the more experienced teams better than what might expect and play well on the road.
RC Lens: Fate has also dealt Lens a wickedly tough draw. With Bayern Munich, AC Milan and Deportivo La Coruna in the group, it will be a struggle. Lens are not impresing in the league so far. They have already lost Diouf, and Ferdinand Coly now seems likely to go Birmingham City. A lot will rest on Dagui Bakari and what kid o a substitute he is for Diouf. Also Lens need Antoine Sibeirski healthy. I say unless Lens gell and show form from last year they will be doomed to finish fourth. Even if they do I can't see a finish higher than third with their depeleted squad.
Olympiqe Lyon: Lyon got the easiest draw of the three French clubs. The squad now has internationals in Eric Carriere, Jeremy Brechet, Gregory Coupet and Sidney Gouvou. Juninho (the real Juninho) must get healthy and I would like to see more of Pegguy Luylindula teaming with Gouvou in attack. Sonny Anderson must show more consistency. The loss of the likes of Marc Viven-Foe hurts, but this is still one of the highest profile teams in France, if not the highest. Rosenborg, Inter Milan and Ajax Amsterdam are in the group. Rosenborg wins my respect but is no threat. I think the defending French champions can beat the the defending Dutch champions. I believe Lyon will finish second here. If Lyon can stay healthy and find the right strike pair as well as shore up defence I could see them possibly winning the group.
What do you all think??
AJ Auxerre: Their draw is a tough one with Arsenal, Borussia Dortmund and PSV in the same group. Their match with Arsenal will truly be a French affair as the Gunners have 4 French internationals, while Auxerre has Cisse and Kapo (both in the sqaud against Cyprus) senegalese star Fadiga and the man Jacques Santini snubbed, Jean-Alain Boumsong. I think both matches with Arsenal will be highly entertaining affairs. The squad is young, much younger than any of their opponets. I see Arsenal winningthe group with Dortmund finishing second. It is tough going up against the defedning English and German champions. I do think Auxerre can get third spot and will move into the UEFA Cup. PSV do not look all that intimidating. Cisse of course will have ot carry a lot of weight on his shoulders, but he is not the only rising star on the club (the aforementioned others plus the likes of Teemu Tainio and Benjamin Mwuarwu are definetly gifted players on the rise). I could see a second place finish if they are able to handle the more experienced teams better than what might expect and play well on the road.
RC Lens: Fate has also dealt Lens a wickedly tough draw. With Bayern Munich, AC Milan and Deportivo La Coruna in the group, it will be a struggle. Lens are not impresing in the league so far. They have already lost Diouf, and Ferdinand Coly now seems likely to go Birmingham City. A lot will rest on Dagui Bakari and what kid o a substitute he is for Diouf. Also Lens need Antoine Sibeirski healthy. I say unless Lens gell and show form from last year they will be doomed to finish fourth. Even if they do I can't see a finish higher than third with their depeleted squad.
Olympiqe Lyon: Lyon got the easiest draw of the three French clubs. The squad now has internationals in Eric Carriere, Jeremy Brechet, Gregory Coupet and Sidney Gouvou. Juninho (the real Juninho) must get healthy and I would like to see more of Pegguy Luylindula teaming with Gouvou in attack. Sonny Anderson must show more consistency. The loss of the likes of Marc Viven-Foe hurts, but this is still one of the highest profile teams in France, if not the highest. Rosenborg, Inter Milan and Ajax Amsterdam are in the group. Rosenborg wins my respect but is no threat. I think the defending French champions can beat the the defending Dutch champions. I believe Lyon will finish second here. If Lyon can stay healthy and find the right strike pair as well as shore up defence I could see them possibly winning the group.
What do you all think??