Marseille Forge Four Points Clear in France
November 16, 1998 - 0:0
PARIS French First Division leaders Olympique Marseille beat champions RC Lens 1-0 on Saturday to extend their unbeaten run to 14 matches. Christophe Dugarry netted the winner from close range in the 31st minute to leave his side four points clear of second placed Girondins Bordeaux who drew 0-0 with lowly Sochaux. Rennes are third, nine points behind Marseille, after drawing 0-0 with Olympique Lyon. Marseille, chasing their first title since 1992, have now won eight consecutive league games while Bordeaux had won seven before their draw.
Lens proved tough opponents and had a good chance when striker Pascal Nouma hit the crossbar in the 50th minute. Marseille goalkeeper Stephane Porato, who stepped in when German Andreas Koepke resigned this week, also saved well from a Tony Vairelles volley 10 minutes from time. It was very hard tonight because Lens had nothing to lose and they tried nearly everything to reduce the deficit after we opened the scoring, said striker Robert Pires. Lens, who face English champions Arsenal in their next champions' league match on November 25, were unhappy with the result.
If this was a boxing match we should have left the ring with a draw. We have had several opportunities to score but we failed to convert them, said Lens' chairman Gervais Martel. It is a shame because we are gradually getting back to our best after a very poor start to the season. Unimpressive Bordeaux gave their worst performance of the season in front of their supporters.
The Girondins played most of the match without striker Sylvain Wiltord and Sochaux went close to upsetting the home side in the 88th when Herve Alicarte saved his side by deflecting a shot by midfielder Baudry. We didn't know what to do. I know it's hard at the moment because the players are exhausted, Bordeaux coach Elie Baup said. Sochaux came here to take one point and it was lucky they did not leave with three.
Monaco, once considered among the favorites in the title race, suffered a severe blow at Bastia in conceding three goals to lose 3-1. The 1997 French champions are now fourth in the table trailing Marseille by 13 points. We will be happy to secure a European berth next season. And it is far from assured if we continue to play away the way we did tonight, Monaco's coach Jean Tigana said.
We can't be too ambitious with this kind of performance. Bastia took an early lead thanks to Polish striker Piotr Swierczewski who blasted home a fine shot in the 17th minute. Monaco's playmaker Ludovic Giuly equalized after the break but Pierre-Yves Andre and Frederic Nee made sure of the win. (Reuter)
Lens proved tough opponents and had a good chance when striker Pascal Nouma hit the crossbar in the 50th minute. Marseille goalkeeper Stephane Porato, who stepped in when German Andreas Koepke resigned this week, also saved well from a Tony Vairelles volley 10 minutes from time. It was very hard tonight because Lens had nothing to lose and they tried nearly everything to reduce the deficit after we opened the scoring, said striker Robert Pires. Lens, who face English champions Arsenal in their next champions' league match on November 25, were unhappy with the result.
If this was a boxing match we should have left the ring with a draw. We have had several opportunities to score but we failed to convert them, said Lens' chairman Gervais Martel. It is a shame because we are gradually getting back to our best after a very poor start to the season. Unimpressive Bordeaux gave their worst performance of the season in front of their supporters.
The Girondins played most of the match without striker Sylvain Wiltord and Sochaux went close to upsetting the home side in the 88th when Herve Alicarte saved his side by deflecting a shot by midfielder Baudry. We didn't know what to do. I know it's hard at the moment because the players are exhausted, Bordeaux coach Elie Baup said. Sochaux came here to take one point and it was lucky they did not leave with three.
Monaco, once considered among the favorites in the title race, suffered a severe blow at Bastia in conceding three goals to lose 3-1. The 1997 French champions are now fourth in the table trailing Marseille by 13 points. We will be happy to secure a European berth next season. And it is far from assured if we continue to play away the way we did tonight, Monaco's coach Jean Tigana said.
We can't be too ambitious with this kind of performance. Bastia took an early lead thanks to Polish striker Piotr Swierczewski who blasted home a fine shot in the 17th minute. Monaco's playmaker Ludovic Giuly equalized after the break but Pierre-Yves Andre and Frederic Nee made sure of the win. (Reuter)