Ligue 1 2012/2013

Nuri Sahin

This thread could fall flat but with it being shown on ESPN, perhaps a fair few others here will watch it from time to time, especially after PSG's incredible summer of spending. Hopefully the big games will live up to last season as there were many high scoring games.

* The champions Montpeiller face Toulouse in the season opener tonight at 7.45. *

Giroud will be a big loss for the season ahead for MontpellIer , Charbonnier was brought in from Angers to be his direct replacement. Also, and for me their best bit of business was the signing of Mournier who's a talented wing forward. Their two gems still remain at the club in club captain Mbiwa and the creative force that is Belhanda. Belhanda won't be playing tonight as he is injured afaik which is very disappointing as he was a big reason why I followed their progress last season, betting aside.

Toulouse, meh. Probably another season of mid table mediocrity they look set for. Moussa Sissoko is their main player and if you didn't already know, is the one to watch. Really needs a move away from Toulouse IMO.

Lyon and Marseille will be especially interesting this season, as both had very poor seasons last season in the league, even if the latter did fairly alright in the Champions League considering the circumstances and won the League Cup they were in the relegation spots at one point midway during the season.

Lyon have had a bit of a clear out but with no players coming in, instead relying on their bringing through youth from their famed academy. Marseille on the other hand have brought in just the one player with no players leaving, the big news with them over the simmer was their coach Deschamps left to coach the French national team.

Bordeaux really experienced two very contrasting halves to last season. Uninspiring and lackluster for the first half, and fluid, all out attacking for the second half. Things really clicked for them and perhaps they can push for the top 3 this season. I'm not entirely sure, but we'll see.

Lille have lost Ligue 1 player of last season, Hazard. The biggest loss to any of the clubs wanting to challenge for the league in my eyes. Rudi Garcia still remains there which is a plus as I kinda half thought he'd be off in the summer if a reasonably big club came calling back home, Valencia is the one I initially had in mind. Despite the loss of Hazard, Lille have been one of the more busier teams and have done alright. Highly rated French youngster Marvin Martin was signed and is certainly one to look out for. Steeve Elana from what I've heard and the little I saw of him last season was exceptional and many people's goalkeeper of the year in France. Kalou went the opposite way of Hazard, bit of a meh signing really but a move away from Chelsea might be the thing he needed.

Lastly it's some club from Paris. Signed some Brazilian CB, a ponytailed Swede and an Argentine called Ezquiel. These plucky underdogs could surprise a few this coming season!

The Floyd p

-Ade- wrote: »

Highly rated French youngster Marvin Martin was signed

Great signing, he's a very good playmaker

Dr Galen

Planning to watch a bit more of Ligue 1 this year alright. the antics of PSG will make it all the more interesting, as we've seen in the past that trying to buy success doesn't always work. Hard to see past them though in fairness at this stage.

Knex*

The Floyd p wrote: »

Great signing, he's a very good playmaker

An absolute assist machine by all accounts. Think Arsenal were heavily linked with him last summer as well.

Also, anyone want a small wager on Ibra's final goal tally in the league? I'm gonna start small (very small) and say, fiver that he will get 23+ (yes I know its an odd number )

Nuri Sahin

The Floyd p wrote: »

Great signing, he's a very good playmaker

Knex. wrote: »

An absolute assist machine by all accounts. Think Arsenal were heavily linked with him last summer as well.

Also, anyone want a small wager on Ibra's final goal tally in the league? I'm gonna start small (very small) and say, fiver that he will get 23+ (yes I know its an odd number )

Very intelligent footballer, outside of PSG's signings, Martin is certainly the one I'm looking most forward to and seeing how he progresses.

I'll go with 28 goals for Ibra.

IvySlayer

-Ade- wrote: »

This thread could fall flat but with it being shown on ESPN

Nice prediction, technical fault in Montpellier match :pac:

Jax Teller

Thought it was just my stream .

Jax Teller

Nice finish .

Nuri Sahin

Twas a nice finish alright from Camara. Deserved lead.

Was saying about 10 mins into the match on Twitter that Camara first goal scorer interested me :pac:

Nuri Sahin

Saihi sent off for a high boot.

Nuri Sahin

Ligue 1 is truly back. Toulouse score and then get a red card themselves :pac:

dubmick

Pleasantly surprised to see the French league is on ESPN this year.

Nuri Sahin

Third red card, Toulouse down to 9 men.

Ah Mbiwa, awful playacting

Nuri Sahin

Crazy start to Ligue 1 as per usual it seems! PSG last season, Marseille the season before that and now the champions Montpeiller faltering on the opening day with a goal a piece and three red cards.

Knex*

Sounds like a game well worth checking out when I get home!

Belhanda injured or just not included?

Nuri Sahin

Knex. wrote: »

Sounds like a game well worth checking out when I get home!

Belhanda injured or just not included?

Injured unfortunately.

Paully D

Definitely going to try and catch some Ligue 1 this season.

PSG against Lorient is on ESPN tonight at 8pm. Really looking forward to seeing how Ibra does, he should absolutely tear that league to shreds.

I'd like to see Steed Malbranque get picked up by Lyon, he's been training with them for weeks.

That_Guy

Just watched the opener this morning. Felt a sudden urge to shout "Head shot" when Saihi got sent off.

Interested to seeing how PSG get on. Have a feeling a fair few defenders are gonna get completely bullied by Zlatan.

Nuri Sahin

PSG should win comfortably but Lorient are their bogey team over the last number of years, winning on five of their last eight league visits to Parc des Princes. Don't think I'll be able to see the game tonight so will have to Sky + it.

Alain Traore is a name to look out for for Lorient. Was far too talented to stay with Auxerre in Ligue 2 after relegation last season. Was very surprised to see a bigger club not come in for him.

MD1990

PSG down 0-1 at home
looking dangerous though

Oat23

Ball was in the net for a second only for an offside

monkey9

Fair play Ade for creating the thread. I was thinking about starting one myself. Watched a fair bit of the French league last season.

Knex*

That was a fantastic save from Douchez for the free. Swore it was in!

Oat23

This makes me so fu*king happy.

I love this game.

PSG 0-2 Lorient at HT.

Knex*

Oatesy23 wrote: »

This makes me so fu*king happy.

I love this game.

PSG 0-2 Lorient at HT.

Great goal but the defending was simply comical.

Red Crow

What a touch by Ibra!

Come on Lorient!

Blatter

Ibra has been class in fairness.

Red Crow

Ibra 2-1

Red Crow

Ìbra and Lavezzi with a quality link up. Menez wastes the chance again!

Red Crow

Crap sub from Carlo, Menez should of gone off.

Caveman1

Almost 2-2, offside Ibra

Red Crow

How is it still 2-1!?

Red Crow

Nene is such a waster

Oat23

Oh boooo

Knex*

-Ade- wrote: »

I'll go with 28 goals for Ibra.

26 left

What a second half this has been.

Red Crow

Ibra (Peno) 2-2

Pedretti comes of the bench with 2 minutes to go and wins the game for Lille 2-1!

Nuri Sahin

Knex. wrote: »

26 left

What a second half this has been.

Gonna watch it in a little bit, but nice to hear that PSG are still Lorient's bitch :P Equally chuffed about Ibra's debut.

Seems like there were some cracking games across matchday 1, couple 3-2 games, Lille winning in the last minute and Gourcuff scoring the winner for Lyon!

Amirani

Interesting opening weekend in Ligue 1, some good games.

I think PSG looked pretty good going forward and created plenty of chances. I can't see past them winning it this year.

Nuri Sahin

Just a bit of a heads up for anyone wanting to keep up to date with Ligue 1. The league now has it's own Youtube channel that show individual match highlights, top goals and maybe a few other bits n bobs in the future. All of which is presented in English. Might be worth subbing to the channel or bookmarking it.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=27f7hC51ofs

Nuri Sahin

Good game on atm between Lille and Nancy.

Kalou completely messed up a 1 vs 1 chance, Nancy scored against the run of play soon after with a good finish from distance and then Kalou scored a fine header to equalise. Martin with the assist

Lille's new stadium is quite nice too.

marvsins

Watching the Lille game atm. Whats was going on with the drinks break ? Is it a french thing or just something new?

Nuri Sahin

marvsins wrote: »

Watching the Lille game atm. Whats was going on with the drinks break ? Is it a french thing or just something new?

It's very humid is all, even at this time of day.

That_Guy

Lille supporters seem a rowdy bunch. I'll be keeping an eye them a fair bit I'd imagine over the season.

They played some decent stuff in the first half Lille and got caught with a sucker punch out of nothing. Well taken goal mind, as was Kalou's equaliser. Was a real slow motion moment. Superb header.

Second half was a bit crap. Far too many stoppages that disrupted the flow of the game. Thought Nancy looked good from set pieces. Lille were scrambling a fair bit at times.

If only Kalou hadn't scuppered that one on one chance in the first half I could have had a bit of optimism for today's games. *rips up coupon*

Kess73

Delighted to see that so many watch Ligue 1 or are going to this season.

Oat23

marvsins wrote: »

Watching the Lille game atm. Whats was going on with the drinks break ? Is it a french thing or just something new?

-Ade- wrote: »

It's very humid is all, even at this time of day.

I think it's a FIFA rule now, if the temperature is over x amount then the ref can stop the game once in each half for a water break.

That_Guy

Oatesy23 wrote: »

I think it's a FIFA rule now, if the temperature is over x amount then the ref can stop the game once in each half for a water break.

I noticed aswell that the clock stops when they take the break too. Well, it did in the first half on Friday night's game. Don't recall it stopping in the second though.

dfx-

What a criminal penalty decision by the referee in the Bordeaux Rennes match.:eek:

Nuri Sahin

PSG are hilarious. Lavezzi sent off earlier. Ancelotti sent to the stands as I type.

0-0 away to Ajaccio, 10 mins left.

Oat23

Lights have gone out now too. I'm watching on Al Jazeera and they lost TV pictures too a few seconds after the light failure..might be a coincidence or there has been a massive power outage

Nuri Sahin

The lights have gone out, literally lol.

Nuri Sahin

Oatesy23 wrote: »

Lights have gone out now too. I'm watching on Al Jazeera and they lost TV pictures too a few seconds after the light failure..might be a coincidence or there has been a massive power outage

The PSG Dark Forces are at work.