PSG march on as Eden Hazard prepares to march off

(Not my holiday destination)You may have noticed a lack of activity on this blog in the last week. For once this isn’t down to my laziness, but because I have been en vacance. And very nice it was too, apart from a small delay in getting back (thanks Eurotunnel).The hurly-burly world of Ligue 1 allows no time for holidays of course, and in my absence the PSG have been busy strengthening their position at the top of the table.First they proved they can cut the mustard (sorry, but it had to be done) by beating Dijon 2-0 last Sunday. They declined to do so again in a Coupe de Ligue tie played on Wednesday night, which DFCO won 3-2, but got back to winning ways with a comfortable-ish 4-2 victory over Caen on Saturday, making it a club record six...

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Slovan Bratislava 0-0 PSG: Digging deep as red mist descends

A ban on a group of naughty travelling supporters, and a subsequent boycott by the other, non-naughty travelling supporters meant there was very little Parisien presence in Slovakia last night as PSG ground out a 0-0 stale-mate with Slovan Bratislava in their latest Europa League Group F fixture. Those not present missed a match which turned from two points dropped to a point gained in the blink of a second-half eye, with Clement Chantome and Siaka Tiene sent off in quick succession, meaning Antoine Kombouare's side were reduced to nine men for the last ten minutes but showed good presence of mind to dig in and hold on for a draw. PSG had squandered several good chances to go in front, while at the other end Nicholas Douchez,...

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AC Ajaccio 1-3 PSG - Gameiro goals gaul-ling for Corsicans

Highlights - PSG stay top as Gameiro guns down AjaccioWhenever I think of Corsica I think of weird little Mediterranean people eating wild boar, which in turn makes me think of Asterix the Gaul.So I was a little disappointed to tune in to yesterday’s match at the Stade Francois Coty and discover that none of the Ajaccio supporters – or indeed players – resembled Asterix, Obelix, Getafix, or any other members of the gang.In fact the only man who might have looked at home in an Goscinny and Uderzo comic strip was Kevin Gameiro, who appeared to have been supping on some magic potion before the game. The striker notched a hat-trick as PSG claimed a victory which takes them three points clear at the top of the table.AK had to shuffle his expensively...

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Back in the old routine

Like England's rugby World Cup campaign, the international break has finally, thankfully, been put out of it's misery. The French footballers weren't quite as potent as their egg-shaped counterparts, but got the job done and booked their place at Euro 2012 thanks to an edgy 1-1 draw with Bosnia on Tuesday. A summer of expectation followed by crushing disappointment and stroppiness awaits. Jezza Menezza and Kevin Gameiro both featured for Les Bleus, and came through unscathed despite Menez going into the game with a slight injury. The former Roma winger won't be playing for the PSG on Sunday though, as he is suspended after picking up three yellow cards. "After the international break, the squad is approaching the game in serene...

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PSG 2-0 Lyon: Pastore bosses OL

Highlights: PSG go 3 points clear at top of Ligue 1 thanks to 2-0 win over LyonAs temperatures soared across Europe, PSG turned up the heat on the other title contenders with a 2-0 victory over Lyon in last night’s big match.“Last Sunday it was asked: who is the boss? This Sunday evening, the boss is Paris,” declared L’Equipe as goals from Javier Pastore (standard) and Christophe Jallet (er, not standard) put the Parisiens three points clear at the top. Hopefully we're more Bruce Springsteen than David Brent.Pastore’s goal was a fine finish, but one which owed much to Lyon keeper Hugo Lloris leaving a helpful gap at his near post for El Flaco exploit. And after Bafé Gomis had missed the kind of chance he’d usually put away in his sleep, Jallet...

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PSG versus OL: The key match-ups

The PSG lost 2-0 in Spain on Thursday, Athletico Bilbao comprehensively outplaying a mix and match Parisien team in the latest Europa League group match.A trademark silly lunge from Momo Sissoko which earned the midfielder a red card on his full debut didn’t help matters, and AK was philosophical afterwards.“We had almost forgotten what it was like to lose and how much we hate defeats,” said the gaffer.“So now I expect a reaction from my players. Today, all the lights were red. And this will allow us to be more focused, more attentive and have a spirit of revenge.”Red lights? Spirit of revenge? Woof. Said spirit will be put to the test tonight when Lyon visit the Parc (9pm BST). With the teams level on points, and indeed goal difference, at...

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