Menez: I never refused to come on

13 January 2013 13:56

Paris Saint-Germain winger Jeremy Menez has refuted claims he refused to enter the pitch during their 0-0 draw with Ajaccio.

The French media reported the former Roma man had ignored Carlo Ancelotti's attempts to use him as a substitute in the stalemate, but Menez denies that was the case.

"It is totally false in any case," the 25-year-old told the club's website.

"It's simple – I didn't even get off the bench to warm up so I do not see how I could refuse to go on the field. The whole bench can be my witness.

"I was calm on Friday evening and for me these lies are empty. I prefer to clarify the situation because it is a non-event, none of this has happened."

Menez said he had previously had some problems with his attitude, but insists the French press need to acknowledge that he is maturing.

"Unfortunately, in the past, I have had some mood swings when I was young," he said.

"I try to make daily efforts on my behaviour and all the while these kind of stories keep on going. Obviously, it does not make me happy and I do not know why people try to harm me."

The 0-0 draw with PSG saw the club surrender top spot in Ligue 1 to Lyon.

Moura to make debut for PSG

10 January 2013 16:10

Paris Saint-Germain coach Carlo Ancelotti has confirmed he is planning to hand Lucas Moura his debut for the club against Ajaccio on Friday.

The 20-year-old's move to the Parc des Princes from Sao Paulo was confirmed in the summer, but only completed on January 1 at the end of the Brazil Serie A season.

"Lucas Moura will start against Ajaccio," Ancelotti told reporters on Thursday.

"He has no problems fitting physically and technically. Even if he still has progress to make, he has no problem communicating with the other Brazilian players who are here."

PSG sporting director Leonardo failed to rule out a move for Cristiano Ronaldo on Wednesday, but Ancelotti has remained tight-lipped on the matter.

"Leonardo has already answered this ... Ronaldo is responsible for his own future, not me," he said.

However, the Italian confirmed that the club are trying to help Nene find a new team in the near future, with the player having expressed his desire to leave.

"There is no news on Nene," he said. "He wants to leave the club. We are looking for the best possible solution. I cannot do anything."

Ligue 1 preview: Top three ease back into action

10 January 2013 15:18

The main title contenders in Ligue 1 face fairly easy returns to action this weekend as France's top tier resumes after the mid-season break.

After a three-week interval over the festive season, pacesetters Paris Saint-Germain, Lyon and Marseille - who are separated only by goal difference - will all ease back into competitive action with games against teams in the bottom five of French football's top division.

PSG's sporting director Leonardo believes his squad has both the ability and, crucially, the desire to break the capital club's 19-year wait for a league title.

"The desire of the players has been the key," Leonardo told Ligue1.com.

"They had a good look at themselves and now they are saying to each other that any defeat is a tragedy.

"That is the way things are now.

"A year and a half ago, people thought we were pretentious for saying such things. Not anymore.

"Nobody at PSG, from the team to those of us upstairs, accepts losing.

"To not win the league would be a failure, for sure. It is the same thing for the Coupe de France."

Ligue 1 returns on Friday with Saint-Etienne hosting Toulouse, while leaders PSG welcome 16th-placed Ajaccio to the capital.

Lyon will travel to second-bottom club Troyes on Saturday and Marseille are off to 18th-placed Sochaux on Sunday.

While all three title contenders will be expected to start the second half of the season with victory, any slip-ups could be crucial in deciding the championship.

PSG, Lyon and Marseille are tied on 38 points at the top of Ligue 1's standings with the capital club ahead on goal difference ahead of Round 20.

The match of the weekend could be fourth-placed Rennes hosting seventh-placed Bordeaux on Saturday.

Rennes won their last two matches before the winter break and sit in France's automatic Europa League qualification berth on 32 points, while Bordeaux are just three points behind and have not won at Stade de la Route de Lorient since 2009.

Bordeaux drew five games in a row before the break and head coach Francis Gillot will hope the three-week hiatus has refreshed his players so they can make a push up the table.

In other games on Saturday, Evian host Brest and Montpellier are set to play Lorient, while Nancy will welcome north-eastern rivals Lille to Stade Marcel Picot.

Nancy have not beaten Lille in 10 consecutive Ligue 1 matches.

On Sunday, Reims are up against Bastia and Valenciennes will travel to Nice.

PSG´s Jallet cautions against complacency

9 January 2013 23:59

Paris Saint-Germain defender Christophe Jallet has warned his side not to get carried away ahead of their Ligue 1 game against Ajaccio.

French football's top flight resumes on Friday after the winter break with PSG hosting Ajaccio, while Toulouse will travel to Saint-Etienne.

PSG lead Ligue 1 on goal difference, tied with Lyon and Marseille on 38 points, and will hope for a good return to action as the capital club aims for their first league title since 1994.

But Jallet has reminded his team-mates they must focus if they are to defeat 16th-placed Ajaccio.

"The most dangerous thing is thinking that it will be easy to get a win," Jallet said.

"We realised during the first half of the season that if we don't all play as a team then things become difficult, so easing up isn't acceptable.

"That would be one of the worst things that could happen to us.

"We can't think that everything will happen by itself.

"No opposing team will give us the points.

"If we want them (the points) and we want to win the championship, it's up to us to go and get them."

Ligue 1 has been on hiatus since December 23 and Jallet is wary of his team being rusty after three weeks off.

The 29-year-old full-back wants PSG to remember that defence is the key to their success.

PSG have the best defensive record in Ligue 1 this season, having conceded just 12 goals in 19 games.

"We have to keep in mind our first objective and that's to be good in defence and to be able to play attacking football and score goals, something we did well in December," Jallet said.

"If we keep that up, we will get points quickly."