The phase range from Spanish league is not over yet, but the truce is still an opportunity to take stock of what has happened since August on the other side of the Pyrenees. Leading the standings, Barcelona and Real Madrid are neck-to-elbow and already ahead of the competition. If after Seville and Valencia, Atlético Madrid and Villarreal are struggling. With the participation of Carmen Colino, news editor at the Spanish sports daily AS, Football.fr back on the main lessons of the first five months of competition.

Barça did not weaken

The Blaugrana are surfing on their momentum last season. And emerge as the main favorites in their own succession. A truce, and a few days after winning the World Championship clubs, training Catalan is leading the Primera Liga by two points ahead of Real. Described in the fourth round of the Champions League, the troops of Pep Guardiola impress. But sometimes let see some failures.

"Barcelona is always as strong, but on some games, we saw players very vulnerable, sometimes low, said Carmen Colino, news editor at the Spanish sports daily AS. That leaves Real opportunities to dominate the race Title. " Except that Barça has corrected one of his only flaws of last season. With only 9 goals against the Catalan rearguard leaves little chance for competition. And the Blaugrana are still unbeaten in the league this season.

The Galactic star coup

Only Real managed to keep pace infernal printed by the leader blaugrana. Better, with 40 goals on the meter after 15 days, the Merengues left on bases hallucinating that should lead to a record if they continue on their average.

What claim coronation, although the Galacticos had taken a little adjustment period early in the season. "Everything is still possible, says Carmen Colino. This year the championship is bipolar and it will be tighter than in 2008-2009." In such cases, the interplay of direct confrontation is often the last word. Problem for Real, Barca won the first (1-0), at the 12th day at Camp Nou. Load the Merengues to catch up next April 11.

The waste of Villarreal and Atletico

With Seville and Valencia, Villarreal and Atletico Madrid are the outsiders in normal Liga. But if the first two, respectively third and fourth place, keep their ranks, the partner of Robert Pires and those of Sergio Agüero disappoint. "Atlético have yet the best attacking duo in the league, with" Kun "and Diego Forlan," said Carmen Colino.

This does not Rojiblancos to develop a game "mediocre" and "slow" as our guest. Fifteenth of classification Madrid are still seeking a second wind. In contrast to Villarreal, who had a nightmare start to the season but began gradually slope. "The departure of Manuel Pellegrini for their Real has done much harm, says the expert of AS. They put a lot of time to find a good style of play they are better now, but they are well capable of better and will have to quickly find the right solutions. "

Like many other players in Ligue 1, Asamoah Gyan will put aside the French championship in January to focus on the African Cup of Nations 2010, to be held in Angola. The Ghanaian striker from Rennes was already an adventure in 2008 when the Black Stars came third in their CAD. After a difficult first season at the club in 2008-2009 Breton, the former Udinese player is currently under the spotlight in France. What happen confident in Angola.

Asamoah Gyan is a man of firsts. At the 2006 World Cup, he scored the first embodiment of the history of Ghana in the finals of the World Cup. By paying the luxury of beating the record for fastest goal, all nations together in competition. Two years later, during the CAN 2008, it is the first tournament to find the net. An African Cup of Nations which was also held with him, but at which the Black Stars could not get the bronze medal.

In Angola, the Rennes striker hopes about such offensive success. At the top of his form with the Breton club for which he has already found fault 8 times in 19 games, "Baby Jet" was full of confidence before the appointment biennium. And it will take to avoid unpleasant surprises in group B rather pointed. Côte d'Ivoire, Burkina Faso and Togo are on the menu for the Black Stars.

At the heart of a controversy in late November

Asamoah Gyan remains to be as effective in selection. A selection that he had indirectly gained some problems recently. The cause: his presence on the field during the victory against the SRFC Mans (2-1), November 21 in the league, then he withdrew the opposition between Ghana and Angola, three days before. However, the FIFA regulations clearly states that International, which said package to a meeting with his selection does not play within five days. Although the Breton proclaims his good faith, the outcome of the imbroglio, however, is still not known. The Appeal Board of the League has placed the matter under advisement.

Charge to the former Udinese player to put aside his worries and concentrate fully on the due date of January. And to use his good form with the Red and Black a few months after taking the first negative balance of its 2008-2009 season, his first with Rennes. "The season has been difficult for me, he conceded the club's official website last May. I had to fight back at the best possible level, but I never got my level best. I ' have not scored many this year, it's very difficult for an attacker. Seven months have passed since that admission of failure. Seven months during which Asamoah Gyan has worked to prepare the CAN and World Cup 2010. And especially in the optical pick Angola title that eluded him at home two years ago.

League 1 has entertained fans for 5 months of competition and 19 days before the truce confectioners. The time is right to establish the ongoing mid-term, with the recruits most disappointing. Landed in Spain to finish their careers in France, Gudjohnsen and Morientes have not met the requirements of their new league. Lucho Gonzalez, most expensive rookie in the history of OM, has yet to adapt to local conditions, while the side of the OL, Gomis is a flop and Bastos is disappointing compared to its purchase price.

1. Eidur Gudjohnsen (Monaco, released by FC Barcelona)
The ASM thought a bargain. The club of the Rock is featured with a disability sports and financial. Liberated by Barca, the Icelanders wanted to live a peaceful end on the Rock. He had underestimated the French championship and his tactical discipline. After you've tried 8 times, including 6 as holder (for no goals scored), Guy Lacombe has rejected the 31 years. Six months and then goes away?

2. Fernando Morientes (OM, out of contract at Valencia)
As Gudjohnsen, the Spanish came free after bench Liga during his last season at Valencia. At 33 years, "Moro" is only the shadow of the flamboyant player of Real Madrid and AS Monaco in 2004. Unable to impose his game head and lack of trust, a protege of Deschamps is a flop or a drag on the OM, which must now recruit another striker.

Bafe Gomis much money for a replacement? (Reuters) Bafe Gomis much money for a replacement? (Reuters)
3. Vedran Corluka (OL, recruited 15 million euros in Saint-Etienne)
AS Saint-Etienne and its supporters are rubbing their hands. And even now bawling. OL How could he buy Bafe Gomis up to 15 million euros? A year ago, after an exceptional season of success for the Panther, the Greens demanded the same amount to the OM Pape Diouf. Gomis, who had started well and that can weigh on an opposing defense is an obvious blunder. And even if he has succeeded in establishing important goals (with a little success or being offside), Puel was relegated to the bench correctly.

4. Lucho Gonzalez (OM, recruited 18 million euros at FC Porto)
For his biggest transfer in history, the OM had decided to build a playmaker who is soon 29 years. But leaders Marseille had not expected that the Argentine international would be operational in 2010. His passing game is fine, but the former captain of Porto has not yet adapted to League 1, which leaves very little space to favorites. Its slowness and its presence may hamper the OM, have to evolve in a system built for him. This flop should not turn into failure.

5. Eduardo Costa (Monaco, recruited 2.5 million euros in Sao Paulo)
Four years later, the Ligue 1 found Eduardo Costa. One of the OM, not that of Bordeaux. Arriving from São Paulo FC, catchy showed early recovery mediocre, completely overwhelmed by the speed events. Teaching early season, it is gradually removed from the eleven, before his injury. Gosso Nkoulou and do a better job.

Junichi Inamoto has contributed nothing to the SRFC. (Reuters) Junichi Inamoto has contributed nothing to the SRFC. (Reuters)
6. Junichi Inamoto (Rennes, out of contract in Frankfurt)
Frederic Antonetti has hosted one of his old acquaintances dating from his exile in Japan for the season 98-99. And Junichi Inamoto could leave quickly to find playing time with the approach of the World Cup. At the end of the contract after two seasons mixed in Frankfurt, the former Arsenal player spotted by failed to impose its aggressiveness. His exclusion during the 2nd day (despite a good performance) and then the explosion of young Yann Mvila have quickly returned to the bench.

7. Michel Bastos (OL, recruited 18 million euros LOSC)
As Lucho, it was expensive. As Lucho, he has disappointed. Party hats on wheels, old Mastiff has completely disappeared from circulation in the fall, being too selfish. His exceptional ball strikes could forget Juninho in the coming seasons, but the influence of the Brazilian left, may be broken by the first selection should be much higher. The OL was still recruited to 18 million euros and do not expect to end up with a second Kader Keita on the arm.

8. Jody Viviani (Grenoble, recruited 500 000 in Saint-Etienne)
At 35, Ronan Le Crom dreamed of ending up in the shoes of an owner. Wish granted. Supposed to take over from Gregory Wimbée Jody Viviani never showed reassuring. Former Stéphanois took six days for "benchmark, but the sinking of his group, with 14 goals conceded, has not played in his favor. Le Crom took over, to give more serenity to the defense of the red lantern.

9. Didier Ovono (Le Mans, recruited Dinamo Tbilisi)
Yohann Pele has left a great void. This is true to say. To replace the great goalkeeper party, free, near Toulouse, MUC 72 has confidence in his new coach. Paulo Duarte, a connoisseur of African Football, has brought Didier Ovono Dinamo Tbilisi, Georgia champion in 2008. The custodian of Gabon has stepped approximations, including air, so much so that the young Georgian Georgi Makaridze was launched in the deep end.

10. Anthony Mounier (Nice recruited 2.5 million euros to the OL)
At the gates of the red zone, OGC Nice will be transformed during the return phase. However, the Eaglets can count on two arrows offensive trained OL. Party club trainer to receive benefit of playing time, Anthony Mounier has become an inefficient incumbent Gym. The former international hopes did not record any purpose of his left leg.

Jean-Pierre Papin found a bench at Chateauroux. (Reuters) Jean-Pierre Papin found a bench at Chateauroux. (Reuters)
Jean-Pierre Papin is back on a bench. After his departure from RC Lens after the descent into League 2 in 2008, the Ballon d'Or 1991 was without a club. A time announced in Strasbourg, it is ultimately the LB Châteauroux the technician of 46 years will raise. League Round of 2 to two points of relegation zone, the Castelroussins appealed to JPP for out of this predicament, after the resignation of Dominique Bijotat, December 23. This will be the 4th club Papin as coach.

"We inform you that Jean-Pierre Papin has to engage with Berrichonne Football as a coach." So the club Chateauroux formalized Tuesday on its website, the arrival of JPP on the bench castelroussin. The Berrichonne, 16th in League 2, has opted for the former technician Lens while Bernard Casoni was also claiming the position. Following another defeat against Ajaccio (1-2), December 22, coach Dominique Bijotat had resigned.

Papin: "I am happy to plunge"

In recent weeks, Jean-Pierre Papin was also in contact with Strasbourg, he was already back in L1 during the 2006-2007 season. The case seemed well made. But having received no guarantees in recruiting, the coach of 46 years decided not to sign in Alsace. Looking for a coach, the club chaired by Patrick Le Seyec has thought about the former star of French football. Papin was without a club since his bad experience Lens, punctuated by a descent in L2, in 2008. He can not wait to return to the land. "I'm happy to plunge, I really wanted. I think that I go back to zero, with a contract for eighteen months and a young team that deserves to be interested in her," Did he said with our colleagues in South-West.

Still unbeaten in the first six games of the season, and even leading the evening of the 3rd and 4th days, then multiplied Chateauroux poor performance until the indignity of a Cup Elimination of France, facing Saumur (3 -1) (FSC), November 21. To make matters worse, the team has, to the truce, the worst defense in Ligue 2 with 30 goals conceded. Chateauroux and has won two of his last sixteen league games! The hemorrhage of "The Berri" must be stopped, and offered a beautiful site at the former Olympique Marseille player. However, it prefers to retain the positive and the fact that the team has been ahead in August: "I come, I am no position to judge what happened before. This team has been head League 2 in the top league, it has potential. I must help him find a positive state of mind ".

What objectives for JPP?

For the former coach of FC Bassin d'Arcachon (CFA 2), the group mentality will be crucial for success: "The mindset is crucial in Ligue 2. In Strasbourg, it was what made the difference . Châteauroux has many young players, I like that: they push all in the same direction, it can hurt. "

Jean-Pierre Papin will be the sixth coach Berrichonne five years, a club looking so even stability. JPP has signed for 18 months, enough to save the club in 2010 and considered the best next year. But the Golden Ball hopes to do better, starting this season, but play continued: "Resume of points very quickly away from the trap down, and why not go tickle the top of the table. I do speaks not rise: initially, do not dream!. " Understandably, however, that the attainment of elite would be the target of 2011.

Find the L1 is in any case the purpose of attacking the old, with or without Chateauroux. "All in good time. Quite a challenge waiting for me already in the Berry! First I write a story there. In this environment, anything can go very quickly, do not throw too much" said Papin at Southwest, while specifying only lead one days Bordeaux would interest him living in the Bordeaux region: "The Girondins have become a reference. Who would Bordeaux today? Yes, of course it interest me. But this is not news. First rendezvous of men of JPP to move up the hierarchy, January 15, at Sedan.