Lyon off to ideal start

LYON, France: French champions Lyon on Sunday got its title defence off to the ideal start with a 2-0 home win against a timid Auxerre side.

Czech international, and former Aston Villa striker, Milan Baros scored the opener for Lyon, who is hunting a record seventh consecutive title, in the 34th minute after dribbling his way into the box and deftly chipping Auxerre goalkeeper Olivier Sorin.

Karim Benzema doubled the scoreline 20 minutes from time with a left-footed thunderbolt which screamed past Sorin.

Auxerre failed to take advantage of Lyon's frailties in defence, which was missing first-choice goalkeeper Gregory Coupet and central defender Sebastien Squillaci.

Summer signing Kader Keita and France international Sidney Govou looked dangerous on occasions going forward on the flanks but struggled when needed in defence.

"It was a good night in the sense that we didn't pick up more injuries," said Lyon coach Alain Perrin. "We had good chances and didn't give much away."

Meanwhile, France's Champions League contenders Marseille and Toulouse both failed to fire on Saturday.

Last season's runners-up Marseille were held to a 0-0 draw at newly promoted Strasbourg, while Toulouse, who will face English giants Liverpool in their Champions League qualifier, slumped to a 3-1 defeat at Valenciennces.

Despite having his high-profile summer signings of Gael Givet, Benoit Cheyrou, Boudewijn Zenden, Djibril Cisse and Karim Ziani on the pitch Albert Emon's Marseille side struggled to break down the home team.

Ziani, who was brought from Sochaux to fill the gap left by Franck Ribery's move to Bayern Munich in midfield, was the only new recruit to show glimpses of class.

AFP

(China Daily 08/07/2007 page24)