Crepe Cup Group B Action from France

Four teams with history, class, panache and a hint of Joie de vivre began the battle last night to take French pride into the later rounds of the Regional Cup.

Forever battling the opinion of the French as Surrender Monkeys there would be no better way for the clubs to dispel that slant than by going all the way and in true French form the opening fixtures saw the clash of gallic titans almost completely nullify each other.



With Monaco and Marseille languishing in Division 3 and PSG punching below their weight in Division 2 it looked from the outset as though Lyon would be favorites to top the group and after match-day one that is where they do sit...although only just!

At the Parc OL Marseille went with no fear of their top division opponents...Lyon relied on experience and it was that which proved decisive as the 39 year old legs of Francesco Totti held out for the 88 minute winner that proved to be all that would separate the two sides. With no subs used by either manager it was a brutal war of attrition for those on the park and in the end the stats proved about equal and for many watching a draw had seemed the likely outcome until Totti secured all three points in the dying minutes.

Marseille must be happy with the performance, they shaded the possession and were more than a match for the top division side but results tell the final tale and 1-0 to Lyon is the result that will be remembered.

Meanwhile over at the Louis II Stadium Monaco and Paris St Germain were also engaged in a war of attrition and in this instance no-one managed to break the deadlock which again is probably a better result for the Division 3 side Monaco who have had a tepid start to their campaign and will probably take more heart from this point than PSG.

In fact the lower league side carried 59% possession against an attacking PSG side and maybe if less caution had been adopted Monaco may have taken all three points.

This group could be a real battle over the coming weeks, form from the opening matches would suggest that having a real go is an option for Marseille and Monaco...can PSG and Lyon find their feet against such nerve.

Next Wednesday PSG will entertain Lyon and the Division 3 bragging rights will be decided as Monaco host Marseille. Beware the French...these four teams have a point to prove...