Wiltord factor lifts Lyon

By Matthew Spiro

French international Sylvain Wiltord showed just how valuable an addition he could be to Olympique Lyonnais this season with a vibrant performance on his full debut against Manchester United FC in the UEFA Champions League.

Troublesome opponent
Wiltord, who joined the French champions earlier this month after his Arsenal FC contract expired, made an impressive start as Lyon opened their European campaign with a 2-2 draw against the English FA Cup winners. The 30-year-old was asked to play in his preferred central attacking role alongside Pierre-Alain Frau and caused endless problems to the United defence with some penetrating runs and intricate passing.

Priceless experience
"Wiltord had an outstanding match," Lyon coach Paul Le Guen told uefa.com. "I'm not surprised, though, because he's a top-quality player who is used to the big occasions." Le Guen believes Wiltord could play a vital role this season, saying: "We have a very young squad and Sylvain's experience will be invaluable. I'm thrilled that he decided to join Lyon."

Superb assist
After a quiet opening 20 minutes at the Stade Gerland, the former FC Girondins de Bordeaux striker became the focal point of every Lyon attack and was instrumental in the home side taking a two-goal lead. Wiltord's all-action display was epitomised by his role in the second goal, leading a counterattack with a powerful 40-metre foray before rolling the ball delicately into the path of Frau who finished with aplomb.

New partner
"It was an incredible run," said Wiltord's appreciative strike partner. "He did all the hard work - I just needed to take one touch to score." Frau is now looking forward to playing alongside Wiltord on a regular basis. "It was the first time I'd played with Sylvain, but as he's such a good player it's not difficult to adapt," he said.

Regular football
With Peguy Luyindula joining Olympique de Marseille in the summer and Giovane Elber suffering a serious knee injury, Wiltord's arrival could hardly have come at a better time. But the diminutive forward knows he will have to work hard to rediscover his best form after an injury-ravaged final season at Highbury. "It's going to take me some time to get used to the rhythm of Ligue 1," he said. "But the most important thing for me is to be playing regularly again."

Timely return
Wiltord enjoyed a successful four-year spell in England, winning two league championships and two FA Cups, but felt the time had come to move on. "I needed a change, and with my Arsenal contract running out I thought it was the right moment to leave England," he explained. "In the end I was happy to return to France and I hope to help Lyon win the title for a fourth consecutive season."

Ferocious competition
The presence of attackers such as Sidney Govou, Frau, Nilmar, Bryan Bergougnoux, Julien Viale and Hatem Ben Arfa will ensure that Wiltord remains on his guard. "The competition for places is ferocious - particularly in the attacking sector," he said. "But you expect that at big clubs. We'll need a big squad if we are going to fight for honours on all fronts this season."

French target
Wiltord has the added incentive of trying to win back his place in the France team. "I haven't had any contact with the new coach [Raymond Domenech] yet," said the striker who has scored 22 goals in 65 internationals. "But if I play regularly at Lyon then he will notice me." If he continues the form he showed against United, Domenech will surely be unable to resist.