Ligue 1 wrap: PSG held to draw

12 November 2012 01:05

PSG failed to break clear at the top of Ligue 1 after they were held to a 1-1 draw with Montpellier at La Mosson on Sunday.

The capital side went into the game without suspended star Zlatan Ibrahimovic and their task was made even harder after Mamadou Sakho was sent off after just ten minutes.

Despite their numerical advantage, the hosts could not find any rhythm and were made to pay when Maxwell deftly chipped Geoffrey Jourdren in the 37th minute to give his side a 1-0 lead at the break.

Montpellier came out after half-time looking more positive and soon drew level thanks to a well-taken Remy Cabella goal.

But just as the defending champions looked to be gaining momentum, Younes Belhanda was sent off for a needless handball and the match ended in a tie.

Olympique Marseille, meanwhile, conceded a late goal as they drew 2-2 with Nice in a result which sees them stay level with PSG at the top of the table.

Andre Ayew put the hosts ahead five minutes before the interval after he headed home Mathieu Valbuena's cross.

Marseille could not hold onto their lead however, with a Dario Cvitanich strike levelling the scores after 51 minutes.

Valbuena rifled home from a tight angle to restore his side's advantage and Elie Baup's looked to be heading to victory before former Marseille man Fabrice Abriel scored in the dying minutes to hand his side a share of the spoils.

Lyon, meanwhile, remained one point behind Marseille and PSG after they also collected a point following a 1-1 draw with Sochaux.

Maxime Gonalons put Lyon ahead in the 24th minute but the home side hit back with 19 minutes remaining through Sloan Privat to give Sochaux a much-needed point.

In the day's other game, Bordeaux recorded an emphatic 4-0 away victory over Lorient to remain just two points off the top of the table.

Ancelotti wary of ´tough´ Montpellier

10 November 2012 20:04

Paris Saint-Germain coach Carlo Ancelotti has warned his side not to underestimate defending champions Montpellier ahead of Sunday's match.

Montpellier have endured a poor start to the Ligue 1 season - a run which sees them 12th on the table - while PSG occupy top position but Ancelotti believes their position will stand for nothing.

PSG will also be looking to make amends following their defeat at home to Saint-Etienne in their last league outing.

"It is going to be a tough game," he said. "I think that regarding the tactics, Girard knows a lot about PSG.

"He will build a team in order to create some difficulties for us on the pitch. It is a football game; it is what it is all about, nothing more.

"Last season we struggled against Montpellier and this season it's different too. It is still an important game for us against an important team.

"It is true that Montpellier had to deal with a lot of problems at the beginning of the season. Yes, it is going to be a complicated game because Montpellier are playing better now and getting better results.

"And for us as well, after the defeat against Saint-Etienne we want to come back and to win."

PSG will be without star striker Zlatan Ibrahimovic with the Swede set to serve the first of his two-game ban.

Chantome calls for PSG response

9 November 2012 19:50

Paris Saint-Germain midfielder Clement Chantome says his side must find form at Montpellier if they are to keep their title rivals at bay.

PSG face Rene Girard's men in Ligue 1 action on Sunday looking to bounce back from their defeat at the hands of Saint Etienne.

The loss brought to an end PSG's 14-game unbeaten run in the league, which dated back to April 30 last season.

Montpellier piped Carlo Ancelotti's men to the title last season, but have found the going tougher this campaign with just three wins from 11 games.

Although PSG top the table, Chantome says there is plenty of room for improvement.

"We played a really bad game against Saint Etienne, so we want to redeem ourselves against Montpellier," the 25-year-old said.

"We're prepared to have a tough game, Montpellier is going through a difficult moment, they will bring a lot of intensity against us but we are used to that.

"In Ligue 1, every team is kind of playing the game of their life so it's going to be hard. We have to perform much better against Saint Etienne to win the game this weekend."

PSG will have to do without talismanic striker Zlatan Ibrahimovic for the trip to the Stade de la Mosson, with the Swede set to serve the first of his two-game ban.

Ibrahimovic has been in blistering form since making the switch to the French capital, netting 10 goals in 11 games but Chantome is confident the likes of Kevin Gameiro and Ezequiel Lavezzi can step up in his absence.

"Playing without such a player, who gave four assists against (Dinamo) Zagreb, will affect our attack," he said.

"But we know that we have players who can replace him and they will bring in their own qualities.

"We'll aim to play the best game possible to win this weekend."

Ligue 1 preview: Ibrahimovic to miss crucial clash

8 November 2012 10:41

Ligue 1 leaders Paris Saint-German will be without star striker Zlatan Ibrahimovic for Saturday's clash against champions Montpellier.

The Swedish goal machine was slapped with a two-game ban for his rash challenge on Saint-Etienne goalkeeper Stephane Ruffier in his team's surprise 2-1 loss.

The loss of Ibrahimovic, who has scored a league-best 10 goals, will be a bitter blow for Carlo Ancelotti's side ahead of their tricky trip to the south coast.

The Paris outfit lead Marseille, who take on Nice and have a game in hand, only on goal difference having granted Elie Baup's side a way back into the title race with the Saint-Etienne defeat.

PSG brushed aside Dinamo Zagreb in the Champions League on Tuesday with a 4-0 win but did so with Ibrahimovic's services.

Meanwhile, Marseille arrested a three-game winless league run with a timely 2-0 win at Ajaccio and host Nice on Sunday.

Last-placed Nancy host Rennes on Friday looking for their first win in 12 games in all competitions.

In other matches on Saturday, Lille can focus on Ligue 1 at home to Brest after their diabolical Champions League campaign ended in a 6-1 drubbing at Bayern Munich on Wednesday.

With two games to play, Lille are without a point but are undefeated in their past four games in the league.

Fourth-placed Toulouse welcome Ajaccio to the Stadium Municipal, Reims tackle struggling Evian TG, Saint-Etienne entertain Troyes and Bastia are at home to Valenciennes in the other Saturday fixtures.

On Sunday, Sochaux will be looking for a second consecutive win when they play Lyon and mid-table Lorient host Bordeaux.