[retired_hvporter]

Lyon looked rather imperious when I went to see them on Sunday night. Really impressed with Benzema, while Grosso also gave a good account of himself on his debut. Spoke to a number of fans in my so-so French and their excellent English and they seem certain that Diouf is heading their way from Bolton. We agreed that Europe will be tougher for them this season and that their squad still needs a bit of work on it.

Auxerre have a tough start to the season, but I see no reason why they shouldn't be challenging for a top six spot at least.

[retired_emp5053]

Good to see there are a couple of other Rennes supporters on here :thup: Rennes just robbed of a CL spot last season. If it were the Prem there would probably have been a court case.

Looks like we're doing the usual ***** start to the season again. Hopefully won't wait too long this year before our 10-game winning streak, unlike the last two seasons.

What are your reasons for supporting them?

[retired_felicityh]

Originally posted by GrantR:
First round of fixtures nearly complete, Valenciennes top the table.

Oh yeah :cool: They deserve it.

[retired_jaydeschizo]

Itandje accepts Liverpool role

Liverpool FC have signed RC Lens goalkeeper Charles Itandje as back-up for Pepe Reina.

Lens regular
Former French Under-21 international Itandje will be asked to provide competition for Reina after bringing to an end his six-season stay with Lens. The Ligue 1 club said through their website: "He leaves Lens after six years of good and faithful service. We wish him good luck." Itandje made 170 appearances for the northern side after joining from Red Star FC 93.

Carson move
The 24-year-old is likely to make a quick return to France when Liverpool travel to Toulouse FC for a UEFA Champions League third qualifying round first-leg tie next Wednesday. Current Anfield No2 Scott Carson is expected to move on loan to Aston Villa FC, the team Liverpool meet in their Premier League opener on Saturday.

Good keeper, but if I was him I'd choose a club where I'd be 1st choice

Rangers bring Cousin to Glasgow

Rangers FC have completed the signing of striker Daniel Cousin from RC Lens for a fee of around €2.2m – the 30-year-old agreeing a three-year deal with the Scottish Premier League club.

French success
Gabon international Cousin moves to Glasgow after three seasons at Lens in which he scored 26 goals in 101 Ligue 1 games. The player, who also enjoyed a successful spell with Le Mans UC 72, passed a medical at Ibrox on Thursday and could be registered for Rangers' UEFA Champions League third qualifying round tie against FK Crvena Zvezda.

'Very happy'
After becoming Rangers manager Walter Smith's tenth summer recruit, Cousin said: "I am very happy to be a player for Rangers. I am not 100 per cent fit but if the coach asks me to play this weekend, then I will play. I saw Ibrox for the first time today and it's a fantastic stadium. I cannot wait to play there." He could make his debut when Rangers host Saint Mirren FC on Saturday.

Nilsson agrees St-Etienne switch

AS Saint-Etienne have confirmed the signing of SC Heerenveeen's Swedish international forward Lasse Nilsson on a four-year contract for an undisclosed fee.

Swedish influx
The 25-year-old joined the Dutch club from IF Elfsborg in 2004 and went on to score 21 goals in 75 Eredivisie appearances, including nine last term when he was ever-present. "I had several offers on the table but was quickly convinced that St-Etienne were the best club for me," Nilsson said. "Few Swedish players moved to France until recently where it has become a league where my countrymen have played well." Toulouse FC striker Johan Elmander and Olympique Lyonnais midfielder Kim Källström are the best known Swedish imports in Ligue 1.

Good player, I think he'll do well in France :thup:

Carrasso commits to Marseille

Having been named as Olympique de Marseille's No1 goalkeeper ahead of the new season, Cédric Carrasso has received his second piece of good news in recent weeks after being handed a two-year contract extension until June 2011.

Trophy hope
Coach Albert Emon decided to start the season with the 25-year-old between the sticks, despite the promising Le Havre AC custodian Steve Mandanda arriving on loan this summer, and watched Carrasso keep a clean sheet in the goalless Ligue 1 opener at RC Strasbourg last weekend. Carrasso, who is in his eighth season at Marseille, punctuated by loans at Crystal Palace FC and EA Guingamp, said: "For three or four years the team has been continually improving. I hope we can win a trophy this season." OM will compete in the group stage of the UEFA Champions League.

[retired_jaydeschizo]

Benzema lengthens Lyon contract

Olympique Lyonnais have awarded striker Karim Benzema a two-year contract extension that will keep the teenage French international at the club until June 2012.

Teenage talent
Lyon were keen to secure the services of the homegrown Benzema, who scored his seventh league goal for the six-time French champions in last Sunday's 2-0 season-opening victory against AJ Auxerre. He has made 41 Ligue 1 appearances over the last four campaigns. The 19-year-old – part of the France side that won the 2004 UEFA European Under-17 Championship – also marked his senior international debut with the only goal against Austria in a March friendly, before appearing in Les Bleus' UEFA EURO 2008™ qualifier against Georgia in June.

Good news for Lyon

[retired_hvporter]

I like him. The next Lyon player to be sold for an over-the-odds price.

[retired_jaydeschizo]

Kim Källström sent off for Lyon against Toulouse. It's not clear why, so probably he said something to the ref

[retired_jaydeschizo]

Halftime:Toulouse-Lyon 0-0

Lyon had the best chances so far, but interesting to see how they'll do in the 2nd half with only 10 men

[trotamundos]

No idea how Toulouse didn't score then. Lyon on the ropes a bit here.

[trotamundos]

Off the post

So unlucky for Keita.