The defending first-time champs Montpelier kicked off today in Toulouse, starting major European competition. Much of the world does not see Ligue 1 as major, but with it being a hotbed for talent, and with 2-3 Champions League teams a year, I consider them big in the world of football. My write-up was written before today's 1-1 expulsion-filled draw, so that did not factor into my preview.
CHAMPIONS LEAGUE:
1st
PSG - This club is too strong, and it will be men against boys as this is really a race for 2nd place. The squad is absolutely ridiculous, especially in France. With my favorite player (Ibrahimovic) and a proven midfielder named Blaise (Matuidi). How can I not root for them? This could be the club to threaten Real Madrid's 2011/12 European record of 100 points. Maybe not this year, but surely in the years to come.
Could make a Champions League semi, but I believe they will surely make a quarterfinal appearance. Their success will solely depend on how well they can gel together, and if PSG can avoid the injury bug. New Qatari owner Nasser al Khelaifi has already spent 140 million euros (In perspective, the 2nd highest spending team Lille has spent 12.8 million) building this team, and rumors say he isn't done. The only downside is that existing stars (notably Nene and Sissoko) have already expressed their discontent with the high spending, and have threatened to seek transfer opportunities if their needs aren't met. This squad is so good, stars like former Chelsea defender Alex and French international Jeremy Menez will have to fight for playing time from manager Carlo Ancelotti, who could be sacked if they experience any struggle whatsoever.
Key additions: Ibrahimovic (AC Milan), Thiago Silva (AC Milan), Ezequiel Lavezzi (Napoli), Marco Verratti (Pescara), Lucas Moura (Sao Paolo)
Key departures: None
2011: 2nd (Qualified for Champions League), 23-10-5, 79 points.
2nd
Lille - Losing star Eden Hazard to Chelsea was a big, but expected blow this transfer window however, the addition of crafty midfielder Marvin Martin will allow them to be more creative. The former Sochaux man is a defender's nightmare, as he often provides key passes and through balls, and is nearly impossible to get him off the ball. Also a set-piece taker, and can hit shots from range.
They will have to be strong in defense to even remotely challenge for the title, as it can be sloppy at times. Career Lille man and French international defender Mathiew Debuchy is set to leave after publicly announcing his desire to leave.
However, the addition of Chelsea-man Saloman Kalou up top will refurbish Lille up top, and perhaps propel them
in the league's race for silver.
I believe they will draw with Lyon on points, but take 2nd on goal difference.
They should beat Copenhagen to
qualify for the CL, and subsequently finish 3rd in their Champions League group, but will be strong
in Europa play.
2011: 3rd (Qualified for Champions League Play-off), 21-11-6, 74 points
Key Additions: Martin, Kalou
Key Departures: Hazard, Joe Cole (loan return)
3rd
Lyon - Last year was their first time the Coupe-de-France winners were outside the top three since the 97/98 season. They aren't the superpower they once were, but I believe they'll be back into Champions League for the 2013/2014 campaign
They still have one of the best goalies in the world in Hugo Lloris. It's still hard to believe that he's only 25 and continuing to get better. He's won Ligue 1 Goalkeeper of the Year three of the last four years, and will be a strong contender to do it again.
They have two phenomenal forwards in Jimmy Briand, Lisandro Lopez, and notably Bafetimi Gomis who has proven he can explode at any time. Gomis, in a 7-1 Champions League victory over Croatia's Dinamo Zagreb, scored the fastest hat-trick in CL history scoring three goals in seven minutes en route to a four-goal performance.
If young players Maxime Gonalons and Alexandre Lacazette can produce at high levels, this team can be extremely dangerous, especially in Europe.
2011: 4th (Qualified for Europa League), 19-7-12, 64 points
Key Additions: None
Key Departures: Ederson (released)
EUROPA LEAGUE:
.
4th
Bordeaux - I love their midfield, especially Polish midfielder Ludovic Obraniak. They do not have a lot of depth however, and will suffer if they cannot hold form. I am a little uneasy about this pick to go high at 4th, as a heavy Europa schedule could cost them points. However, I love their core of Jaroslav Plasil and Yoan Gouffron. Something about this team just smells like success.
Goalkeeper Cedric Carrasspo was quietly impressive, allowing slightly over a goal per game last season. If he can be huge, Bordeaux could win a lot of sloppy matches.
2011: 5th (qualified for Europa League play-off), 16-13-9, 61 points
Key additions: None
Key departures: Salif Sane (Nancy), Gregorz Krychowiak (Reims)
5th
Saint-Etienne - ASSE have showed promise in improving it's offense, becoming a more attacking team over the past few years. Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang is so skilled, he could be playing on a squad with much more prestige.
The addition of highly-courted midfielder Romain Hamouma in combination with the ever improving youth should give this squad a chance at a European spot.
2011: 7th, 16-9-13, 57 points
Key Additions: Key Additions: Hamouma (Caen), Renault Cohade (Valenciennes), Francois Clerc (Nice)
Key Departures: Laurent Battles, Paulao (Real Betis)
BUBBLE TEAMS:
6th
Marseille - So much talent, as evident in their Coupe de la Ligue title, but never able to be consistent. I love Loic Remy and most of all Mathieu Valbuena. Valbuena is one of the most underrated players in my book, as he's an incredibly gifted passer, set-piece taker, and can play any non-defensive position on the field.
2011: 10th (qualified for Europa Ligue via Coupe de la Ligue title), 12-12-14, 48 points
Key Additions: none
Key Departures: Brandao
7th
Montpelier - After losing their best player in Olivier Giroud to
Arsenal, this underdog turned 2011 cinderella Champion will struggle both in Ligue 1
and in CL play. I predict a 3rd place finish in CL group play,
and a somewhat early exit from Europa play. Their only hopes in a successful campaign lies on their astute defense, and the feet of newly acquired Emiliano Herrera and Anthony Mounier.
2011: Champions, 25-7-6, 82 points
Key Additions: Herrera (Union Espanola), Mounier (Nice), Daniel Congre (Toulouse)
Key Departures: Giroud
8th
Rennes - I would have had them lower, but star Yann M'Vila somehow has stayed at the club (so far), and looks like he's staying. I do not believe they will finish 8th, but will keep it as a middle ground. If M'Vila has a great season, they'll be higher. If his bad temper gets the best of him, they'll finish lower. After missing out on European ventures by a point, they'll want to prove their worth.
Jires Ekoko is one to watch. With 10 goals and 102 shots in only 24 matches in 2011, he could have a breakout season.
2011: 6th, 17-9-12, 60 points
Key Additions: Sadio Diallo (back from loan)
Key Departures: Stephane Dalmat (Nimes)
9th
Toulouse - I love watching this team play, despite their ugly shade of purple. Gritty, tough, and always in every single game. They are one of those teams that can qualify for Europe, or fight for relegation, especially if they lose star Etienne Capoue to transfer.
2011: 8th, 15-11-12, 56 points
Key Additions: Jonathan Zebina (Brest)
Key Departures: Daniel Congre (Montpellier)
Key Additions: Zouhier Dhaouadi (Club Africain), Daniel Wass (Benfica)
Key Departures: Christian Poulsen, Thomas Kahlenberg (Wolfsburg)
13th
Lorient - I cannot begin to tell you how much I love Alaine Traore. He'll be a great fit, and hopefully him and Yann Jouffre can be a deadly combination. It's unfortunate they had to return Joel Campbell after a great loan spell (4 goals in 11 matches.) Having barely survived relegation last year, they should get their wakeup call, and should improve their point total to the mid 40's.
2011: 17th, 9-12-17, 39 points
Key Additions: Traore (Auxerre)
Key Departures: Jeremie Janot (ASSE), Campbell (return from loan)
Key Departures: Daniel Congre (Montpellier)
MID TABLE:
10th
Bastia - The newcomers can surprise many this year. They rolled to a Ligue 2 title last year, and often looked really good. They kept their core of experienced players, and added Ajaccio star Ilan.
2011: Champions (Ligue 2), 21-8-9, 71 points
Key Additions: Ilan
Key Departures: Sadio Diallo (loan return)
11th
Nancy - No more Traore this year, as he moved over to Italian giants AC Milan. Samba Diakite also moved to QPR, as the Ivory Coast international impressed last year. They've brought in a few good players to help bolster this team for another mid-table run, including Bordeaux player Salif Sane.
2011: 11th, 11-12-15, 45 points
Key Additions: Yohan Mollo (Grenada), Sane, Thomas Ayasse (Arles)
Key Departures: Traore, Diakite
12th
Evian - Will they suffer the sophomore slump? They had success in their first Ligue 1 season. Their attack looked strong, albeit a weak defense. They should stay up again somewhat comfortably as they bring back much of the same squad.
2011: 9th, 13-11-14, 50 points
Key Departures: Christian Poulsen, Thomas Kahlenberg (Wolfsburg)
13th
2011: 17th, 9-12-17, 39 points
Key Additions: Traore (Auxerre)
Key Departures: Jeremie Janot (ASSE), Campbell (return from loan)
SURVIVORS:
14th
Nice - They will have to rely on their youth and their heart to stay above this year. Despite a 13th place finish, they were only four points out of relegation. A few slip ups and they could be in the bottom three. Losing two starters in Francios Clerc and Anthony Mounier will not help their cause.
2011: 13th, 10-12-16, 42 points
Key Additions: Timothee Kolodzieczak (Lyon)
Key Departures: Clerc (ASSE), Mounier (Montpelier)
15th
Stade de Reims - This is not your grandfathers team. They are clawing back into Ligue 1 for the first time since 1979. Wikipedia this team, and you'll find a plethora of French history.
This is the present however, with a solid base, and a couple additions, this team will fight to stay up. I have them staying, due to other Ligue 1 teams getting weaker.
2011: 2nd (Ligue 2), 18-11-9, 65 points
Key Additions: Kamel Ghilas (Hull City), Gregorz Krychowiak (Bordeaux)
Key Departures: Romain Amalfitano (Newcastle)
16th
Brest - I like their addition in Geoffery Dermis from champions Montpelier to help bolster their struggling attack. It'll be another survival campaign, however, I believe they'll slug it out again, and turn some of those draws to victories.
2011: 8-17-13, 41 points
Key Additions: Dernis, Kamel Chafni (Auxerre)
Key Departures: Steve Elana (Lille)
17th
Sochaux - Americans associate Sochaux with Charlie Davies, however, he has since moved on to Denmark. Star playmaker Marvin Martin is gone, and almost all hope is as well. Due to their acquistions, they have a sliver of hope to stay above the line.
2011: 11-9-18, 42 points
Key Additions: Cedric Kante (Panathinaikos), Thierry Doubai (Udinese)
Key Departures: Martin
RELEGATION:
18th
Troyes - After an incredible run to gain promotion, the young team will have to go on without the skills of Djibril Sidibe, as he moves onto bigger and better things at Lille. 35-year-old Benjamin Nivet comes back to Troyes, as his leadership will be essential if they are to stay up.
2011: 3rd (Ligue 2), 17-13-8, 64 points
Key Additions: Nivet (Caen)
Key Departures: Sidibe, Olivier Blondel (Toulouse)
19th
Valenciennes - Their loss of Renaud Cohade will further limit their attack, pushing them to the bottom. They had some solid home-field advantage at the end of their schedule last year that helped them stay above the hypothetical water.
2011: 12th, 12-7-19
Key Additions: Lloris Nery (ASSE)
Key Departures: Cohade (ASSE)
20th
Ajaccio - At the moment, they have not brought in anyone to bolster their struggling defense. They lost their star Ilan to newcomers Bastia, and look to struggle for wins this year. This team is young, and hasn't tasted success. Not a lot of hope for this squad unless Mexican goalie Guillermo Ochoa can come up huge.
2011: 16th, 9-14-15, 41 points
Key Additions: Sigamary Diarra (Lorient)
Key Departures: Ilan
Matchday 1 Predictions:
Friday
Montpelier 2:1 Toulouse
Saturday
Evian 2:3 Bordeaux
Nancy 1:0 Brest
Nice 1:0 Ajaccio
Nice 1:0 Ajaccio
PSG 3:0 Lorient
Rennes 1:1 Lyon
ASSE 0:2 Lille
Sochaux 0:0 Bastia
Troyes 2:2 Valenciennes
Sunday
Stade de Reims 0:3 OM
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