Lyon on song as PSG are stunned by Lorient
Saturday, August 6, 2011
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It was a winning start to the season for Olympique Lyonnais but there were draws for LOSC Lille Métropole and Olympique de Marseille and a shock defeat for Paris Saint-Germain FC.
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Olympique Lyonnais had most reason to be cheerful on the opening night of the Ligue 1 season as their 3-1 defeat of OGC Nice was complemented by draws for champions LOSC Lille Métropole and Olympique de Marseille, and a surprise defeat for big-spending Paris Saint-Germain FC.
Early on in the evening Rémi Garde's tenure at Lyon seemed destined for inauspicious beginnings as his side fell behind to Anthony Mounier's opener (6). OL responded well, however, turning the match on its head with goals by Lisandro (10), Bafétimbi Gomis (33) and Maxime Gonalons (74). Lille, meanwhile, were held to a 1-1 draw at AS Nancy-Lorraine, after Franck Beria (61) put through his own net to cancel out Mathieu Debuchy's effort (47). Not even the dismissal of Pascal Berenguer (83) could alter the frustrating fortunes of Rudi Garcia's side.
Marseille also squandered a lead, given to them by Lucho González (38) against FC Sochaux Montbéliard, who then went ahead following strikes by Marvin Martin (58) and Vincent Nogueira (70) before Loïc Rémy (74) salvaged a 2-2 draw. At Parc des Princes, after unveiling the latest, and most expensive, of their summer acquisitions, not even the presence of Javier Pastore could prevent PSG from suffering a 1-0 home defeat. Julien Quercia was the match winner for FC Lorient (28).
Elsewhere, Toulouse FC and Montpellier Hérault SC won by respective two-goal margins against AC Ajaccio and AJ Auxerre, SM Caen were 1-0 winners against Valenciennes FC and newly promoted Evian Thonon Gaillard earned a 2-2 draw at Stade Brestois 29.