25th round prospects performances… Top 3/ Flop 3

By: Evilo | February 23rd, 2009

Here’s a round up of the U22 performances in this weekend of Ligue 1 action.

Nancy 0-2 Lyon
N’Diaye (5) made some clear mistakes, that’s to be expected from someone this young playing a defensive role. He played in midfield once again, where I like him less than as CB. His lack of speed cost him a yellow card (that could have been more in a more advanced position).
Mounier (5) was solid but didn’t have the opportunity to showcase his speed. Benzema came in late and scored the clinching goal on a counter attack. Also of note the exceptionnal match of Lloris who saved a penalty. Lack of communication with Boumsong late in the game though.

Grenoble 0-0 PSG
Not sure why media and Grenoble are whining about the Sakho handball. The ref saw it and decided it was not intentional. Tough decision sure, but you have to remember that Giuly scored in the first half after Hoarau was WRONGLY signaled offisde. Somehow, the slow brains of our journalists can’t remember it. Anyway, a deserved draw here, with Sakho (6) showing once again plenty of authority. For Grenoble, Feghouli (6) played well and had the toughest shot of the game for Landreau. As with Grandin (5), I would like him to weigh more on games, to take control of some offensive plays. These two guys have the ability to do so. They either don’t trust themselves, or aren’t trusted by their teammates.

Nice 0-1 Rennes
Ospina (6) made a great save in the first half and was solid overall. Couldn’t do much on the goal. Rémy (6) was dangerous. He has to be more accurate in his runnings with the ball. Traoré (4) was horrible. The guy has just scored two lucky goals in two games, so obviously he was to get a start here, but frankly, he didn’t show much.
Lemoine (6) had another tough game I thought. He’s really down right now.

Toulouse 0-0 Valenciennes
Capoue (6) was rock solid. I would like him to be more involved in possession attacks. He has the technical ability to do so.

Lorient 1-2 Sochaux
Ayew (4) was bad once again and didn’t create much. He tried too much on his own to no avail. Gameiro (7) scored on a GREAT solo effort. He seems to be back to his pre-Xmas level and that’s bad news for the rest of L1.
Boudebouz (6) wasn’t really impressive until that GREAT pass for the winning goal. Marvin Martin (6) was once again impressive. I really like this guy’s game. Poised, calm, mature. Nice upside too. Erding (6) scored in his only real opportunity in the dying seconds of extra time. That’s what killer scorers do. And he sure is one.

Le Havre 1-2 Auxerre
Sambou (3) was THE key mistake after 50 seconds. That was really bad.
For Auxerre, Narry (6) was very active. A nice solid player.

Nantes 1-1 Caen
N’Dy (5) was OK for his first start, if you forget about the first goal. Same for Das Neves (5). Vainqueur (4) was disappointing. He seemed to play like a junior (which he is) contrary to his previous games.

Marseille 0-0 Le Mans
Corchia (4) suffered against Zenden and showed his limits as of now. Lamah (5) was uneffective but to me the most dangerous Le Mans player.

St Etienne 1-1 Bordeaux
Benalouane (5) made some bad mistakes and some key saves. So mixed results really. Matuidi (7) was Man of the Match after he scored that bomb from outside the area. That didn’t overshadow the rest of his dominant performance. Payet (5) was disappointing, not capable of creating danger.

Lille 2-1 Monaco
Mollo (4) seemed cocky and over-confident and that means an awful performance. Just because he’s scored his first goal the other day doesn’t mean he’s arrived. I still don’t like this guy’s behaviour sometimes.
Pino didn’t show much before leaving injured.

Top 3
1- Matudi : all around dominant performance and WHAT A GOAL!
2- Gameiro : hmmm… all around dominant performance and WHAT A GOAL!
3- Erding : hmmm, nah far from a dominant performance, but winning goal at the 93rd? Pretty good.

Flop 3
1- Sambou : OUCH! Bad mistake in the first minute and goal against.
2- Mollo : too cocky right now.
3- Vainqueur : come on, he can do much better.

Highlights

Matuidi’s rocket :