Robber Barons of the Côte d'Azur -Chronicles from the Dark Underbelly of French Football

[OMDave]

Cheers Simon. Sounded like an entertaining game, despite all the errors. So it's the 'BT Premiership One' now...

Team news and game reports (source: football365.fr, Ligue 2 updates).

24th September 2004, Stade de l'Aube (att. 13.373), Ligue 2.

ES Troyes AC 1

AS Cannes 3

13. Superb ball through played by Toledo from the right flank, sending Todorov clear. The Bulgarian takes the ball round Heurtebis and taps it in. 0-1. [Toledo injured and replaced by Rapaic]

52. Forty-yard diagonal cross-field ball by Mohammed into the path of Moustaïd, who cuts inside from the right edge of the box and shoots from ten yards out. Heurtebis tips it onto the post, but it bounces back onto the unlucky goalkeeper and into the net. 0-2.

56. Vairelles whips in a low cross from the left flank, which Bangoura meets first-time, unmarked near the penalty spot. A good strike which finds the lower left-hand corner. 1-2.

76. Todorov wins the ball in the centre circle, beats first his marker then the covering defender, before tucking the ball into the right corner with a low, in-curling shot. 1-3.

A much closer game than the scoreline suggested, but Cannes' finishing -and Todorov's in particular- was excellent. Another very solid team performance, extending the team's remarkable run of results in Ligue 2 so far. Toledo's injury was the only disappointment for manager Le Spliff, but as it turned out it was nothing more than a painful knock.

Cannes temporarily take the lead in the table, but Niort have played one less game and are just one point behind. [The next day, Niort lost 2-1 away to Nîmes, and Cannes stayed a point above them at the top.]

28th September 2004, La Bocca (att. 5380), League Cup Preliminary Round.

AS Cannes (L2) 4

Niort (L2) 1

42. Good interception by Meniri, who finds Janssen free down the right side of the box. The striker cuts inside and sends a low, powerful shot into the opposing corner. 1-0.

48. Théophile runs on the outside of his marker, down the left flank. He reaches the byline and cuts the ball back with a deft chip into the box. Janssen has peeled away from the defender and slots it home easily from ten yards. 2-0.

57. A string of quick accurate passes makes space for Théophile on the right wing. The cross is flicked on at the near post by Janssen, and headed in at the far post by the unmarked Emanuelson. 3-0.

63. Zoko flicks on Mohammed's clearance. Good anticipation by Janssen, who runs clean through and dribbles past the keeper, completing his first ever hat-trick for Cannes. 4-0.

70. Very poor back-pass by Emanuelson, intercepted by Biakolo who cuts it back straight away. Chaigneau's bizarre attempt to palm it away ends in embarrassment as the ball sails over him and into the empty net. 1-4.

A very interesting game between the two early leaders of the Ligue 2 campaign, a big test for both teams even though the prize itself -a place in the draw for the First Round of the League Cup- was modest enough. The first half was evenly-matched, but Cannes seemed to up the tempo after half-time, soon adding to the lead they had taken just before the break.

Young Dutchman Tim Janssen had a terrific game, and the first competitive hat-trick of his budding career was a just reward for his incessant hard work. The game was a lesson in realism, which Cannes will need to repeat when they meet Niort again in ten days' time for their top-of-the-table clash in Ligue 2.

29th September 2004.

In the draw for the First Round of the League Cup, AS Cannes were drawn to play Angers (L2) away at the Stade Jean Bouin, on 2nd November 2004. Amongst the other fixtures, Marseille vs. Lens and Auxerre vs. Bordeaux stand out as the biggest games.

[OMDave]

Game reports and team news (source: 'Bocca Vera!' fanzine, October 2004 issues).

2nd October 2004, Stade Jean Bouin (att. 14515). Ligue 2.

SCO Angers 1

AS Cannes 3

Goals: Moustaïd (0-1, 44), Toledo (0-2, 61), Janssen (0-3, 63), Aubanel (1-3, 66).

Shots: SCO Angers 4(2), AS Cannes 8(5).

Youssef Moustaïd ran the midfield for Cannes and was particularly decisive in dead-ball situations, unquestionably the best player on the pitch. This was a very important victory for the Mediterraneans, and a fairly opportunistic one in a tight game, which was decided in a five-minute period during the second half.

Todorov's shoulder injury during the game sees him out for about a week, which gives young Janssen (8 goals in 7 appearances so far) further opportunity to shine. Unfortunately Todorov will miss the forthcoming top-of-the-table clash with Niort at La Bocca, but Cannes are looking very strong at the moment and will go into the game with a great amount of confidence.

After 9 games, Cannes are first with 25 points. Niort follow close behind on 24 points, with Lorient and Sedan tied in third with 19 points. Two teams are still unbeaten; Cannes and Istres.

5th October 2004.

Youssef Moustaïd signed a new four-year contract with Cannes, and later in the day it was announced that Suleiman Mohammed had also agreed to a new four-year deal.

9th October 2004, La Bocca (att. 8044). Ligue 2.

AS Cannes 1

FC Niort 0

Goal: Paulo Miranda (1-0, og 82).

Shots: AS Cannes 16(11), FC Niort 3(1).

The result may have been tight, but this was a game that Cannes controlled throughout, denied a more convincing scoreline only by the exploits of Niort goalkeeper Marichez.

In the end it was the unfortunate Paulo Miranda who unwittingly gave Cannes the three points, when the ball bounced in off his back after a good save by Marichez. With the win Cannes open up a four-point gap at the top of Ligue 2.

16th October 2004.

Lascha Chelidze played the whole game for Georgia (6th cap) away to Austria. The game ended 1-1 and Chelidze put in a decent performance.

Maxim Tsigalko sat on the bench and watched as Belarus lost 3-0 to France at the Stade de France.

17th October 2004, Stade Louis Dugauguez (att. 19920). Ligue 2.

CS Sedan 1

AS Cannes 3

Goals: Poueys (1-0, 12), Todorov (1-1, 32; 1-2, 41), Théophile (1-3, 60).

Shots: CS Sedan 4(4), AS Cannes 19(11).

Sedan's early opener did not give rise to panic in the Cannes ranks, and from the moment Todorov grabbed an equaliser it was clear there was only ever going to be one winner in this game. Sedan's long-ball tactics were easily dealt with by Shereni, Tournut and Diawara, whilst Cannes ran riot down the flanks.

Niort were held to a draw, and Cannes now lead by six points, with Guingamp in third and now fully ten points behind.

22nd October 2004, La Bocca (att. 7926). Ligue 2.

AS Cannes 5

FC Istres 1

Goals: Todorov (1-0, 21; 2-0, 24), Moustaïd (3-0, 37), Laslandes (3-1, 66), Mohammed (4-1, 72), Tsigalko (5-1, 90+2).

Shots: AS Cannes 18(10), FC Istres 3(2).

Another excellent performance by Todorov, who grabs his second brace in successive games. Tsigalko, Mohammed and Diawara were the main architects of Cannes' success, and their quick passing moves kept pulling Istres' 4-4-2 wider and wider apart. By half-time the damage had been done, thanks in part to marking errors by Istres' defence.

Niort still haven't recovered, it seems, as they lost and allow Cannes to move nine points ahead. Guingamp consolidated their third place with a resounding 6-1 away win against Le Mans, who have just appointed former Marseille player Bernard Casoni as their manager. Le Mans are twentieth and last, the only club still to win a single game. They have 3 points from 12 games played.

29th October 2004.

After suffering recurrent groin injuries over the last couple of seasons, Gnahouan Zoko has decided to undergo surgery at the behest of the club's medical staff. It is thought he will be absent for around five months.

30th October 2004, Stade de la Licorne (att. 10277). Ligue 2.

Amiens SC 1

AS Cannes 4

Goals: Théophile (0-1, 41; 0-3, 55), Tsigalko (0-2, 45+2; 1-4, 80), Buron (1-3, 74).

Shots: Amiens SC 4(4), AS Cannes 19(11).

Thoroughly-deserved victory for Cannes, who might have scored three or four before they eventually opened their account. Théophile was outstanding, popping up on both wings, setting up a goal and scoring two in the process, including a magnificent solo effort punctuated by a fierce strike from twenty-five yards.

Despite the upcoming League Cup tie at Angers, manager Le Spliff fielded his best available side, and it showed on the park. Toledo, Moustaïd and Tsigalko left opponents trailing in their wake, causing danger every time they had the ball at their feet.

Niort were held to an away draw, and slip down to third after Guingamp ripped Rouen to shreds (4-0) at the Roudourou. Cannes remain first on 37 points, Guingamp follow on 27 points and Niort are now third with 26 points.

[abu645]

altogether now...

we are going up..

[OMDave]

Still a bit early to celebrate, abu645

Team news and game reports (source: football365.fr - Ligue 2, League Cup and French Cup updates).

2nd November 2004, Stade Jean Bouin (att. 11.669), League Cup First Round.

SCO Angers (L2) 2

AS Cannes (L2) 0

51. Long ball through by Le Bris. Baha slips away from Leca, takes the ball into the box and beats Chaigneau from ten yards with a sweet strike into the top right-hand corner. 1-0.

84. A poor back-pass by Shereni is intercepted by Baha, who crucifies Chaigneau from twelve yards out. 2-0.

Close game in which Angers' striker Baha shone, scoring two well-taken goals which proved enough to break Cannes' unbeaten run. Young centre-back Christophe Leca, at only fifteen, became the youngest ever Cannes player to take part in a competitive game, and unfortunately his inexperience showed at the wrong times. The Cannes forward line was unusually quiet, missing perhaps the usual steady supply as Toledo, Théophile and Mohammed were all rested, along with first-choice strikers Todorov and Tsigalko.

In the other games, Auxerre beat Bordeaux convincingly (3-0) at l'Abbé-Deschamps, Monaco were beaten 1-0 at Istres, Lyon lost 3-1 away to Laval, Marseille beat Lens 2-0 at the Vélodrome and Paris SG lost in extra-time at home to Ajaccio (3-2).

5th November 2004.

Cover left-back Denis Stinat tore a groin muscle in training and will be out around two months.

7th November 2004, La Bocca (att. 8.149), Ligue 2.

AS Cannes 4

FC Lorient 0

12. Toledo shoots from twenty yards out, to the right of the goal. The ball sails into the top right-hand corner. 1-0.

14. Tsigalko gets away down the left flank and cuts it back into the path of Théophile, who smashes it first-time from twenty-five yards and finds the top right-hand corner. 2-0.

31. Free-kick near the right corner of the Lorient penalty box. Tsigalko whips it in and Diawara heads it down into the right corner from near the penalty spot. 3-0.

67. Tsigalko is played through into the box from the left, and his fierce strike is parried by the keeper. Todorov is onto the rebound before the defenders react, and he sidefoots it home unchallenged. 4-0.

Cannes bounced back from their defeat in the League Cup, outplaying Lorient in every department and establishing a two-goal lead early on in the game. This was a real team performance, in which the variety of attacking options available to Cannes was apparent.

10th November 2004.

Djibril Diawara suffered a groin injury in training and will be out for around two months, it is thought.

12th November 2004, Stade Jules-Deschaseaux (att. 10.262), Ligue 2.

Le Havre AC 0

AS Cannes 5

11. Poor clearance by the Le Havre defence from a corner. Todorov stands unmarked at the edge of the box and beats the keeper with a low drive into the right-hand corner. 0-1.

29. Tournut wins the ball on the half-way line and plays it forward thirty yards ahead of him. Tsigalko takes it down, runs into the box and squares it from the left into Todorov's path. The Bulgarian is left with a simple tap-in from five yards. 0-2.

35. Shereni finds Moustaïd unmarked, thirty-five yards out and facing goal. Screamer into the top left corner. 0-3.

42. Chelidze takes the ball forward, and with no-one closing him down he strikes from twenty yards out, on the right of the goal, and finds the roof of the net. 0-4.

54. Toledo is shoved in the back by Louiron in the box. Moustaïd steps up and slots the penalty in the top left-hand corner. 0-5.

A lesson in football dispensed by the Mediterranneans. Moustaïd was outstanding throughout, and the reorganised defence did not seem to suffer at all from Diawara's absence, with Chelidze shifting to the right-back slot and Tournut brought in the team as a centre-back. Le Havre were just too vulnerable down the sides, and too unimaginative when in possession, to pose any sort of threat.

18th November 2004.

The draw for the Seventh Round of the French Cup has pitted Cannes against Endoûme (CFA), away from home in a game to be played on 27th November 2004.

20th November 2004, La Bocca (att. 8203), Ligue 2.

AS Cannes 1

Grenoble 0

66. Théophile tears away down the left wing and sends in a high cross from the byline. The goalkeeper punches it clear, but only as far as Mohammed, who heads it into the right corner from the edge of the box. The keeper has committed himself and can do nothing to save it. 1-0.

Cannes found it very difficult to break down the Grenoble defence, lacking their usual incisiveness down the flanks. Although they probably deserved to win the game, they made hard work of it and were clearly releived when the final whistle went.

27th November 2004, Stade Le Cesne (att. 1543), French Cup Seventh Round.

USM Endoûme (CFA) 0

AS Cannes (L2) 1

31. Mohellebi's long crossfield pass is headed by Toledo into Todorov's path. He takes it into the box and beats the onrushing keeper low to his left from fifteen yards. 0-1.

With better finishing by the Cannes forwards, the scoreline would have been much heavier. Endoûme did not have a single effort on goal in the ninety minutes, and never looked capable of stringing together more than two or three passes. All in all, a game best forgotten for both parties.

[Spav]

Top stuff, Dave. The team is certainly performing superbly at the moment.

[Tyrone the Magazine]

My word this team will be best in Europe in no time

[TheIcon]

Nice to see after my couple month break from everything FM, this little story is still goin' strong. Awesome start to the season, here's hoping it continues.