Posts Tagged ‘ESPN Soccernet’
ESPN Soccernet: Marseille on an inexorable rise
“Rémy’s burgeoning partnership with Valbuena has been a key factor in the revival. Of the former Lyon striker’s nine league goals, five had been created by Valbuena, who tops the Ligue 1 assists chart with 10 decisive passes. The pair are motivated by a shared desire to secure places in France’s Euro 2012 squad and their understanding is underscored by an off-pitch friendship. “Sometimes, it feels like we’re the only ones playing and that everything will come off,” says Rémy.”
I’ve written a piece for ESPN Soccernet on how Didier Deschamps has transformed Marseille from a side that won just once in their opening 10 league games into one competing for silverware on four fronts. You can read it here.
Related links: Benzema ready to flourish at Real Madrid | PSG benefit from capital gains
ESPN Soccernet: Benzema ready to flourish at Real
“The patience from which Benzema has benefited at Real may owe something to the influence of Zinedine Zidane in the corridors of power at the Bernabeu, and it is to Zidane that thoughts most readily turn when Benzema is on his game. There is a thoughtful deliberateness and a sinewy elegance to Benzema that recalls Zidane at his most beguiling, right down to the way the younger man cajoles the ball with the outside of his foot when in possession.”
My latest piece for ESPN Soccernet, on how Karim Benzema has managed to turn things around at Real Madrid, can be read here.
