Giroud missing for league leaders Montpellier
Reuters - Friday 02 March 2012, 14:33
Brief news ahead of this
weekend's Ligue 1 matches:
Leaders Montpellier, a point above Paris Saint-Germain, are
without suspended leading scorer Olivier Giroud for Saturday's
trip to Dijon while playmaker Younes Belhanda could also
miss out with a thigh problem.
"It's always regrettable but we will deal with it," coach
Rene Girard told reporters. "We have other options, it will give
an opportunity for others to express themselves."
Midfielder Mohamed Sissoko is suspended for Paris Saint-Germain's home game with Ajaccio on Sunday.
Olympique Marseille will be without winger Mathieu
Valbuena for Saturday's home game with Toulouse after he
suffered a knock playing for France against Germany in midweek.
Forward Andre Ayew has a thigh problem and could join Loic
Remy and Stephane Mbia on the sidelines.
Marseille boss Didier Deschamps reckons only shock leaders
Montpellier or second-placed Paris Saint-Germain can now win the
Ligue 1 title but that his stuttering eighth-placed side can
still manage third spot and a Champions League qualifying berth.
"Two teams have broken away and are battling for top spot, a
lot of teams are battling for third and we are part of that
group," he told reporters.
Third-placed champions Lille return to their Stadium Nord
against Auxerre on Saturday after three straight away
games which brought seven points.
"I'm satisfied with the quality produced when we play on our
own pitch but sometimes we can be a bit too impatient at home,"
coach Rudi Garcia told reporters.
Olympique Lyon, who drew 4-4 with PSG last weekend, hope
to welcome back defender Dejan Lovren from injury for Saturday's
game at Nancy but Yoann Gourcuff and John Mensah will
miss out, coach Remi Garde told reporters.