Matchday: Lens-Lyon (Stade Félix Bollaert)

By: Xavier | October 3rd, 2009

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This afternoon Lens will welcome an in form Lyon side to the Stade Félix Bollaert. Coming off their worst performance of the season the sang et or look to rebound against the former French champions.

Coach Jean-Guy Wallemme has demanded a response from his team following the recent humiliation against Le Mans, but is well aware they could hardly face tougher opponents than Lyon on Saturday.

Coach Wallemme revealed to the press that he convened a special meeting of his players following last week’s debacle, and told them to stand up for themselves.

“Its about being men and it has to be settled among men,” he said. “I think we are mature enough, there is enough complicity between us and enough honesty to solve these problems.

“You have to talk about these things openly. It is through communication that we solve problems and find solutions here.”

Compounding problems for the northern giants were news reports that keeper Vedran Runje continues to be a problematic presence in the clubhouse. Indeed, L’Equipe has reported that goal keeping coach Michel Ettorre is on the verge of quitting the club if things do not improve with regards to Runje’s attitude.

The Croatian keeper has been highly critical of coach Wallemme’s tactics of late, particularly regarding the starting eleven. Coach Ettorre suggested that this may explain Runje’s recent nonchalant play which has left much to be desired.

Other quarrels were reported between Issam Jemaa and Kanga Akale and between Nenad Kovacevic and Toifilou Maoulida who came to blows arguing last weeks disaster at Le Mans.

But coach Wallemme insists there is no crisis, as they sit 13th in the table, and he believes the club can rally to give Lyon a strong challenge on Saturday.

“If this was mission impossible, we would stay at home,” he said. “The challenge is to regain our strength so we can compete with them and grab the points. We know they have talent but we must be ourselves and execute.”

Coach Wallemme may not be counting on rising star Razak Boukari as he is the only injury doubt with a sore ankle, but he is nevertheless expected to be available for now.

Lyon coach Claude Puel is facing a long list of potential forfeits. Cleber Anderson has been out and is expected to be sidelined until January with a shoulder injury, while Lisandro Lopez remains out (adductors) and Cesar Delgado is still about a week away from returning.

233 France international defender Jean-Alain Boumsong, former Lille star Michel Bastos and the Brazilian Ederson are all battling to recover from nagging injuries, while red hot France International Bafetimbi Gomis and Miralem Pjanic are expected to play. Another former Lillois Mathieu Bodmer has returned to the training grounds, but will be out suspended today.

More information on Lyon can be found on the Lyon Offside run by my good friend John and Inara.

Le Groupe Lensois: Kasraoui, Runje; Chelle, El Adoua, Laurenti, Ramos, Sartre, Yahia, Demont; Doumeng, Hermach, Kovacevic, Milovanovic, Sow; Akalé, Boukari, Maoulida, Monnet-Paquet, Jemaa, Eduardo

Le Groupe Lyonnais: Lloris, Vercoutre; Cris, Seguin, Réveillère, Clerc, Cissokho, Kolodziejczak; Toulalan, Källström, Gonalons, Pjanic, Bastos, Ederson, Grenier; Govou, Belfodil, Tafer, Gomis.

Viewing Options: The game will be televised on Setanta Sports in north America and the UK. Setanta is available in the US through a satellite subscription with Direct TV or Dish Network.

Streaming: http://www.myp2p.eu/broadcast.php?matchid=50894&part=sports