Lyon bounce back
French champions Lyon bounced back from their humbling defeat to Marseille last time out with a commanding 2-0 win away to Rennes on Saturday.
But four days ahead of a crucial Champions League clash with Spanish giants Barcelona, Lyon are sweating over the fitness of influential striker Karim Benzema who limped off injured shortly after the restart.
Benzema's absence for Tuesday's match would be a huge loss to Lyon, and their coach Alain Perrin admitted the victory was tinged with concern.
"We managed to readjust things a little after our setback against Marseille," said Perrin.
"Our form up front made all the difference, and defensively we were solid. Our only major worry is for Karim Benzema, who has taken a bad knock."
After their defeat to Marseille a fortnight ago Lyon got back to winning ways through Brazilian Juninho and Hatem Ben Arfa.
Juninho's skills as a dead ball specialist were put to use after just five minutes, but it was from the penalty spot, and not from one of his trademark 30-yard free kicks, that he opened his account.
Ben Arfa added a goal in the 24th minute after a fine individual display in which he dribbled his way past Rod Fanni and Guillaume Borne before blasting the ball past Simon Pouplin.
Rennes, who began the day a respectable fourth in the table, did little during their response to Lyon's winning start to suggest they will be real title contenders.
Lyon meanwhile will be boosted ahead of Tuesday's match which could decide whether or not they make the knockout stages of Europe's premier club competition.
But losing Benzema, who was fouled by Rennes captain Bruno Cheyrou in the 46th minute, would be a huge loss.
Perrin later admitted that 19-year-old Benzema, whose form this season has attracted interest from major European clubs, is a major doubt for their midweek clash.
"Karim is doubtful for Tuesday as he has picked up a serious thigh knock."
Lyon's 11th win in 15 matches means they have a three-point lead over Nancy, who put some space between themselves and third placed Bordeaux by beating Lille 2-0 and seeing Bordeaux demolished.
Bordeaux are still in third, but will wake up Sunday with a vintage hangover after their 5-0 humbling at league new boys Caen.
Caen have been holding their own in mid-table, but will be especially buoyed by this performace which was inevitably helped by the double sending off of Bordeaux pair Mathieu Chalme and Marc Planus.
Former European champions Marseille meanwhile continued their bid for domestic respectability, following a dull start to the campaign which has left them near the bottom, with a 3-1 win over basement side Metz.
Marseille now have a reason to party, although winning two matches on the trot for the first time this season will not prompt huge celebrations in the southern port city.
Eric Gerets' side, like Lyon, are squaring up for a Champions League clash in midweek, against Besiktas, and the Belgian coach said he will accept any good performance from his players.
"I don't care how we go about it, as long as we get the result we want," he said.
Valenciennes held Strasbourg to a goalless draw in Alsace, while Toulouse were held to the same result at home by Monaco .
Auxerre host Le Mans on Sunday in the hope they can wriggle out of the bottom three while struggling PSG travel to mid-table Nice.
Comments