7/10, vs. Dinamo Bucuresti, 2-1. http://www.om.net/fr/Saison/102002/Calendrier_Resultats/1038/OM_Dinamo_Bucarest 7/17, vs. Ajaccio. 7/21, vs. Bordeaux. 7/25, vs. Toulouse. 7/29, vs. St. Etienne. 8/1, @ Lens.
We supposedly played pretty well, but I didn't get to see it. Should be able to watch the rest of the games, I guess. Hopefully Lucho and everyone can play against Ajaccio. I always have thought it was weird that we play so many French teams in preseason.
We played pretty well in the first half, probably should have scored two or three. Brandao was ineffectual, which is probably unfortunate for him amongst all these rumors linking us with a new striker. A few of the young guys, especially Kabore and Bocaly, looked really good in the second half. Interesting to see a few real young guys get in, too. Sort of unfortunate they'll only be playing in CFA-2 this season.
1-2. http://www.om.net/fr/Saison/102002/Calendrier_Resultats/1040/OM_Bordeaux prvev: did you see it, bro?
Yea, we played alright, although Lucho was pretty poor. I'm not too worried. We hit the post two or three times, and Carrasso had to make one or two pretty nice stops. But I think it ultimately came down to our players not really being used to playing together, and that will come with time. Brandao and Valbuena made a difference when they came on. The lineup with Niang as lone striker that started the match didn't really work out, so it's pretty evident we either need to have Brandao starting or bring in another true striker. But it's just preseason, I'm sure Deschamps was just sort of experimenting.
Wait, is Valbuena still playing for L'OM? I could have sworn he and Deschamps spoke upon DD's arrival and they agreed that there was no place for him in the squad. That's great news if the wee guy is still around, always enjoyed his enthusiastic play.
No agreements have been made as far as him and Cana leaving, so I guess Deschamps figured he might as well get them in the game in case they end up sticking around.
Valbuena should be kept. Why bother wasting money brining in someone else when you dont need to. He wants to be a starter well there arent many big clubs in Europe he could start for because he just doesnt have that pedigree so he should just stay and except his role.
i watched this match and what stuck in my mind the most was how pathetic the announcers were; they weren't regular C+ guys, i think they were sent by olympieskaya pravda. even when bernard lacombe did OL matches on OLTV he told it like it was (and worse! he didn't keep his tongue in his pocket!) on and on about how great everything in white and blue was, especially lucho... could be, could be, but the praise seemed all the more fulsome against a backdrop of goats running around in a white uniforms. the funniest was when they were giving an "overall view of the recruits": during those 3 minutes cyril rool was playing like a god... and didn't get his name mentioned! not to be completely negative: niang was good, natch, ben arfa too. and brandao was indeed unlucky to hit the post like that.
valbuena was pretty good too. he'll probably end up staying at OM, but that's simply because he's getting no offers. but if i were him i'd try to go to grenoble, montpellier, some club where he would do a lot of good.
It was Michel Hidalgo on the commentary, though, so you sort of have to expect that. Anyway, 1-0 so far today against Toulouse. Kone with the goal, off a nice center by Bocaly. He may challenge Bonnart to start at right back.