Every week in many competitions, there is usually a “Team of the Week”. And starting this weekend with the Ligue 1 matches, we will be doing a “Ligue 1 Team of the Week”. And since French Cup action just concluded, we would like to do a Round of 64 Team as well. Of course, with so many teams playing this past weekend, one can easily argue for a number of players. Still, here is Ligue 1 Talk’s “Team of the Round of 64″.
Goalkeeper
Guillaume Bemenou (Chambery) - The reason that Guy Lacombe might be unemployed today could be because of the superb play of Chambery goalkeeper Bemenou. Not only did Bemenou have a number or amazing saves during regulation, but also came up big when it counted during the PK. True, two of the PKs taken by Monaco were misses, but Bemenou guessed correctly on every single shot. The 26-year old keeper might be given a few “look-overs” by teams higher up throughout the next six months.
Honorable Mention: Cheikh N’Daiye (Paris FC), Thomas Hollard (Jarville), Quentin Westberg (Evian).
Defenders (not specific to position):
Pepe Diakhate (Lyon) - While not the most impressive player for Lyon this season, Diakhate had a solid all-around match on both the defensive and offensive sides of the ball, producing the only goal of the match. With only one game into 2011 for Lyon, Diakhate and Dejan Lovren showed some chemistry that we haven’t seen yet between the two players.
Benoit Trémoulinas (Bordeaux) - Again, another player that has played under his potential this season. Still, in this weekend’s match Trémoulinas was able to both defend as well as control the ball on the left side. His play on the pitch looked more like the Trémoulinas we saw the last few years.
Slimane Djebid (Jarville) – Throughout the match, Sochaux put the ball toward the Jarville goal a number of times. Still, Djebid was able to make a number of critical clears from the box, which prevented this match from possibly being ugly. Instead, Jarville showed they could play a respectable game.
Kenny Lala (Paris FC) – In the first shock of the weekend, Toulouse were not only outplayed, but out-coached by Paris FC. One of the key factors was the play of Kenny Lala, who, along with his PFC teammates, immobilized the right side of the Toulouse attack. In addition, his smart defensive play kept the ball away from the PFC goal, giving Toulouse less chances and making Etienne Didot’s free kicks a non-factor..
Honorable Mention: Dejan Lovren (Lyon), Omar Daf (Brest), Zoumana Camara (PSG)
Midfielders (not specific to position):
Alexander Tettey (Rennes) – Yes, it is easy to say that they entire midfield for Rennes had an impressive match. And while we can say that Yann M’Vila had an impressive match, it is nice to give Tettey, who rarely plays for Rennes, his due. Tettey scored two goals in Rennes’ 7-0 victory over Cannes.
Jaroslav Plasil (Bordeaux) – One of the biggest problems for Bordeaux this season has been the lack of an offensive leader. But as far as an overall leader, Plasil seemed to be in command of the of his team as they steamed ahead to the win. He look exceptional on both sides of the ball. He, like Trémoulinas, might help a resurgent Bordeaux side move up the Ligue 1 ladder in the 2nd half of league play.
David Coulibaly (ES Wasquehal) – Auxerre looked as if they were going to pull of the victory early when another Coulibaly (Adama) scored in the 18th minute. But with some impressive offensive pressure in the attacking midfield late in the match, David Coulibaly was able to level the match with 81st minute goal. After than, Wasquehal continued to pressure, with much of it being led by Coulibaly.
Honorable Mention: Nene (PSG), Yann M’Vila (Rennes), Romain Chouleur (Raon-L’Etape)
Attackers:
Cheick Diabaté (Bordeaux) – Bordeaux has been looking for an offensive leader for quite some time now. Is Diabate the possible answer? We have rarely seen the 22-year old play for Bordeaux this season, but his impressive play for Bordeaux on Saturday will have many fans asking for him to be a part of the starting XI. After a first half, which both teams playing on level footing, Diabate’s two second-half goals put the game away for Bordeaux.
Kamel Larbi (Aurillac) – As it looked like Nancy would go into Aurillac and dominate their CFA opponents, Kamel Larbi scores two goals within 15 minutes to level the match at 2-2. Throughout the match, the former Nice product pressured the Nancy defense. But in the end, his missed penalty kick would cost Aurillac the match.
Aissa Yahia-Bey (Chambery) – While he didn’t score until the penalty kicks, Yahia-Bey kept coming, and coming and coming at the Monaco defense. Almost every opportunity that Chambery had on Monaco either started with or ended off the foot of Yahia-Bey. After this stellar performance by the 29-year old, some of the head in the French football world might be turned. Still, lets see how he does this round.
Honorable Mention: Victor Monatno (Rennes), Billy Ketkeophomphone (Strasbourg), Kevin Berigaud (Evian), Jonathan Ayité (Nîmes).
Of course, there are many players that are missing from this list that played exceptional ball, and we congratulate them.
Filed under: Americans Abroad, Aurillac FCA, Évian Thonon Gaillard FC, ES Wasquehal, French Cup News, Girondins de Bordeaux, Jarville JF, Olympique Lyonnais, Paris FC, Paris Saint Germain, SO Chambéry Foot, Stade Brestois 29, Stade Rennais FC, US Raon-l'Étape Tagged: | Aissa Yahia-Bey, Alexander Tettey, Benoit Tremoulinas, Billy Ketkeophomphone, Cheick Diabaté, Cheikh N'Daiye, David Coulibaly, Dejan Lovren, Guillaume Bemenou, Jaroslav Plasil, Jonathan Ayité, Kamel Larbi, Kenny Lala, Kevin Berigaud, Nene, Omar Daf, Pepe Diakhate, Quentin Westberg, Romain Chouleur, Slimane Djebid, Thomas Hollard, Victor Montano, Yann M'Vila, Zoumana Camara
Nice idea Dave. I like it.