Bonjour! Ca va? I'm back again everyone! I can't find time between football and trying to get more experience to be a journalist to get writing something of value to you, which very unfortunate. Anyway hopefully this series? Could you call it that? We'll go for it anyway, series will bring a certain "je ne sais quoi" to your outlook on the leagues. I will be showing you the place I think they'll finish, star man and hidden gem in each team to maybe give you a better understanding of each team and how they will do and a few other stats thrown in too.
So we shall begin with Ligue 1, mainly because I've felt very French recently, do not ask me why.. probably because of a certain someone on Twitter, but we will go with it and see what happens!
AC Ajaccio
Last season: 16th
Star man: Guilermo Ochoa
Unsung hero: Johan Cavalli
Prediction for this year: Fighting relegation.
The Corsican club rely heavily upon the two men mentioned above, Ochoa is a fine goalkeeper and Cavalli a fantastic midfield player, but whether these two will be able to keep them up remains to be seen. I think they lack that real goal-scoring talent which any small team needs. Ochoa has already been commended for his performances this season, whilst Cavalli looks assured and calm in his midfield role, reminds me of Cabaye in a way and not just because his name is Johan. Already picking up eleven yellows and one red they are the worst discpilined side in the league and despite picking up four points from their opening three games have had two of those taken of them, due to an incident with Lyon last year and could lose a further point which is currently suspended.
SC Bastia
Last season: Promoted (1st Ligue 2)
Star man: Jerome Rothen
Unsung hero: Toifilou Maoulida
Prediction for this year: Mid-table.
After years in the French wilderness Bastia are back and so is the Corsican derby against Ajaccio. The experience of former Paris Saint-Germain man Jerome Rothen will be vital to the team as the look to stabilise in the first division again, his wise head and excellent footballing ability will have come to the for. Whilst Maoulida has got off to a great start up front scoring twice in the opening three games, if the big striker can keep this up with Ligue 2 player of the year Rothen constantly chipping in Bastia will have no problems staying up.
Girondins Bordeaux
Last season: 5th
Star man: Ludovic Obraniak
Unsung hero: Michael Ciani
Prediction for this season: Europa League places, sniff at third place.
Bordeaux have got off to a fantastic start this season, winning two and drawing one of their first three games. They will be looking to improve upon their fifth place finish last year, especially considering the way playmaker Ludovic Obraniak who has already got two goals and one assist to his name. Meanwhile, at the back Michael Ciani has been a brick wall at the back keeping other teams at bay, limiting other teams to just 2 goals against Bordeaux in the three games, if he and the Bordeaux backline continue in the same vain will be right up there come the end of the season.
Brest (Stade Brestois)
Last season: 15th
Star players: Geoffrey Dernis and Bruno Grougi
Unsung hero: Alexis Thebaux
Prediction for this season: Fighting relegation.
Losing Goalkeeper Stevee Elana to Lille was a big loss to Brest, probably responsible for their survival as the keeper had a magnificent year. This and the experience of Jonathan Zebina are two of reasons that I think Stade Brestois will be struggling this year, aswell as not having a recognised goal scorer, a situation similar to that of Ajaccio. They will be relying on new signing from champions Montpellier Geoffrey Dernis and another creative midfielder Bruno Grougi will be instrumental in their survival bid. Goalkeeper Alexis Thebaux is now Brestois's last line of defence and will have to replicate Stevee Elana's form to help the cause.
Well that's the first four teams done! Hopefully this is more manageable and I'll be able to get these out on a regular basis, as you deserve more to read!
Anyway, thanks again for the continued support!
Jonathan.
Follow me on Twitter: @JWalsh97
No comments:
Post a Comment