The wait is finally over! Can the Lyonnais make it back into the Champions League after a generally disappointing last campaign, or will the club's financial woes drive them further down the table? Can JMA turn water into wine with a squad where half the players seem poised to leave the side any day? Does any club have the ability to withstand the financial clout of Les Parisiens, or have their Qatari backers all but guaranteed a Ligue 1 title? All I know is that Ligue 1 is here again. ALLEZ l'OL!
Starting lineups: Lyon : Vercoutre* - Réveillère, Cris, Koné, Cissokho - Gonalons, Fofana - Briand, Gourcuff, Lacazette - Gomis. Rennes : Costil - Danzé, Kana-Biyik, Apam, Théophile-Catherine - M'Vila, Pajot - Féret - Kembo, Erding, Pitroipa. *Lloris is reportedly sick
When I saw Vercoutre in, I thought Lloris was sold. Could turn out this illness is a ruse. So Gonalons is captain now? Or will that change when Lisandro is back in the side? Nice goal by Briand and Gourcuff. The Year of Yoann has begun. If we're gonna challenge this year, we need him, no question.
Somehow I doubt that Hugo is "sick". Maybe we'll be getting some news shortly. I would think Max got the armband for this game only, don't really get that as a permanent move.
Kembo gets sent off for kicking Vercoutre in the face. Not sure what Rennes are complaining about -- obviously not a penalty.
haha true, I would slide into the keeper when I knew the game was lost, just out of frustration. I'm enjoying the game so far. Solid play from Les Gones overall. The game is getting chippy, unneccassry fouls from Bafe and Yoyo He was wearing the armband for the TdC, and that was with Lloris and Cris playing, so I'm not so sure.
Satisfied with the win. They kept Rennes in check for most of the match and were able to preserve the clean sheet. 3 points to start the season.
FT Can't complain too much when you start the season with an away victory, but that was a bit of a lackluster 2nd half display.
They had a couple of chances in the 2nd to put it away but just failed at it. I wouldn't say the shut down completely, just played a bit more conservatively, considering they were on the road. I'm happy win the win. Glad to see Vercoutre get the victory, he could end up seeing some more time in the first XI.
Lyon should have scored another goal though. Rennes was a man down, and Lyon had some good chances. They've got to be more decisive if they want to stay competitive with Lille and Montpellier.
here's some highlights for those who missed the game http://www.goalsarena.org/video/france-ligue-1/11-08-2012-rennes-lyon_en.html
The lineups for match 2 (and our bench): It's also apparently a very warm day in Lyon, 35 C (which is about 96 F).