Ryad Boudebouz is the star of Sochaux's show but can they keep him out of Liverpool's
clutches?
For the new season, MirrorFootball is teaming up with some of the blogosphere's best new writers
to bring you even more great football reads every single day. Thursday is Ligue 1 day, and here's
French Football Weekly's Andrew Gibney with his take on events across the Channel.
Real Madrid winger Cristiano Ronaldo bagged his 100th goal for the club as Jose Mourinho's men
dispatched Olympique Lyon 2-0 at the Stade Gerland to book their place in the last 16. The
nine-time winners were never really tested with a rather subdued Gerland crowd forced to
acknowledge the prowess, vigour, tenacity and ruthlessness of [.
Liverpool's need for a left back is inching them closer to proposing a loan move for Manchester
City defender Wayne Bridge.
The Reds are short of options in that part of the field having seen Emiliano Insua, Paul Konchesky,
Fabio Aurelio and Glen Johnson all turn out in that position to differing levels of success over
the past two years.
Pressure cooker ready to burst, or bowl of overboiled noodles?
Difficult to anticipate the spirits in which the players will face Lens today. A week after the
draw against Nice (2-2), much has been leaked, distorted, or exaggerated, about the atmosphere
within the squad. Yes, Hugo Lloris exploded after the match, on his way back to the locker
rooms.
Olympique Lyon host nine-times winners Real Madrid at the Stade Gerland hoping to
continue their impressive run of form against the Spanish giants.
Played six, won three, drew three and lost exactly zero. Yes that is zero. With statistics as
such, it is easy to see why Olympique Lyon have become Real Madrid's much proclaimed
‘bogey-club'.
Olympique Lyon host nine-times winners Real Madrid at the Stade Gerland hoping to
continue their impressive run of form against the Spanish giants.
Played six, won three, drew three and lost exactly zero. Yes that is zero. With statistics as
such, it is easy to see why Olympique Lyon have become Real Madrid's much proclaimed
‘bogey-club'.
Remember... this must have been a century ago : Bordeaux versus Lyon, a Champions League quarter
final. Long gone are these glory days... Today, both eliminated from the Coupe de France and
authors of several series of sub-standard performances since the start of the season, Lyon and
Bordeaux clash tonight at the Stade Gerland, closing a 22nd Ligue 1 matchday which saw Marseille,
Rennes and Saint-Etienne win.
A crucial encounter. Rather than a pleasant wine contest between Cotes du Rhône and Bordeaux,
tonight's game will leave at least a big gun with a sour taste in the mouth... And, it'd better be
Bordeaux, if you ask me.
Remember... this must have been a century ago : Bordeaux versus Lyon, a Champions League quarter
final.
Come on boys, the nap is over! Now that we've made sure to get out of every possible disturbance
like the Coupe de la Ligue and the Coupe de France, could we please move the bottom part of our
back, and fight for the championship title? I'd better tell you : I'm angry.
OK, Nice had their best game of the season last saturday.
