PARIS. Nov IO: A week ol mixed fortunes in the Champions League means it's back to the European drawing hoard for French champions Monaco as Lyon Join Paris St Germain in the second round of the coin-petition. reports AFP.
That could prove a blessing in disguise for the stricken Monegasques who. sitting I 1th in the league, have been handed an opportunity to concentrate on retaining their league title.
Surly forward Marco Si-inoue. who complained midweek of a lack of motivation in the Principality side, may yet be consoled by ihe fact that, as yet. no dominant leader has emerged.
Only six points separate surprise league leaders Sedan from lOth-placed Lvon. and with some of the less well-known teams such as Gu-ingamp. Bastia and Lille convincingly holding their own. the race has really only begun
That does not mean that title favourites Paris St Germain, sitting second, will be slamming on the brakes in heir attempt to win back the t< , spot as they play host to fellow Champions League contenders Lyon.
A win would give Philippe Bergeroos side, who have suffered two back-to-back league defeats, a much-needed boost.
It would also help to soothe the wounded ego of star striker Nicholas Anelka, who midweek complained openly about Bergeroos tactics:
"When you look at it. our problem midfield is not new. We don't have a playmaker and with only one defensive midfielder in Pete (Luccin). it's impossible. "
Anelka, however, is out of action for a week after picking up a thigh strain against Champions League opponents Helsingborgs of Sweden.
Paris SG's Brazilian hit man. Christian, wall return after an abdomen Injury, as will the now fully-recovered trio of Stephane Dalniat (right ankle). Bernard Mendy (tendinitis' and Lurent Leroy (right ankle).
But despite the welcome returns. Paris should be wary of a Lyon side currently riding a wave of euphoria after reaching the second round of the Champions League for the first time.
And. with ex-Auxerre forward Steve Marlet currently showing signs of maturity in front of goal alongside Brazilian Sonny Anderson. Jacques Santini's side have the tools to lake all three points at the Parc des Princes.
The Sedan-Marseille encounter was always going to be a thriller, given that Marseille sports manager Eric Di Meco was sacked last Saturday, following in the footsteps of president Yves Marchand, who resigned only days earlier.
A Marseille defeat could seal the fate of a third member of staff. Brazilian coach Abel Braga, who was only persuaded to stay at the club after crunch talks with Marseille chief Robert Louis-Dreyfus on Thursday.
In the French press Braga had initially signalled his intention to resign following intervention in team affairs from the notoriously vociferous Marseille backroom staff.
A win for Sedan would reinforce their placing, which until now has largely been deserved with some .fine, attacking per-fonnances. and goals aplenty from Belgian signing Tony Brogno.
Third-placed Bordeaux would have been looking forward to taking three home points against lowly Strasbourg, but that match could be postponed as Claude Le Roy's side, sitting 17th. have two key players picked for a France B away match to Bosnia.
That situation is also complicated by (he fact that recently-signed Paraguyan international goalkeeper Jose Luis Chilavert is still sitting out a two-match ban.
Handed out while playing for former Argentine side Velez Sarsfield. after an appeal Bordeaux are waiting on a positive response from the Argentine federation.
Likewise, the Bastia-Nantes match, due to be played on Saturday, has been postponed until Monday night.
The Corsicans sit on equal points with Nantes and after a brief spell on top of the league, will be looking to pull ahead at their traditional stronghold of the Armand-Cesari stadium.
Current French champions Monaco crashed out of all European competition on Tuesday and must find motivation for what should prove a difficult Friday night encounter away to Saint Etienne, sitting in 15th place.
With domestic endeavours now a more realistic pursuit. Monaco can now begin to forget the internal squabbling in a team which has the talent, but somewhat less cohesion, to challenge for the title.
Saturday's remaining league fixtures are Metz-Guingamp. IJlle-Auxerre. Rennes-Toulouse and Trovrs-I^ns.