Football in France | GlobalPost

Football Bayern on verge of final after routing Barca

Agence France-PresseApril 23, 2013 17:16

Bayern Munich are on the verge of their third Champions League final in four years after routing Barcelona 4-0 in Tuesday's semi-final, first leg. It was the Spanish giants worst European defeat since the 1997 group stage 4-0 loss to Dynamo Kiev. Germany star Thomas Mueller was Barca's chief tormentor with goals in each half while striker Mario Gomez and Dutch wing Arjen Robben also netted to give Bayern a huge advantage for the return leg at the Camp Nou on May 1. The stunning performance came at the end of a remarkable day even by Bayern's standards.

Evra pokes fun at Suarez over biting incident

Thomson ReutersApril 23, 2013 05:45

LONDON (Reuters) - Manchester United defender Patrice Evra wasted no time in poking fun at Luis Suarez for his latest misdemeanour, pretending to chomp on a fake dismembered arm after his side clinched a 20th English title by beating Aston Villa on Monday. The day before, Liverpool's Uruguay striker Suarez had bitten Chelsea defender Branislav Ivanovic during a 2-2 draw at Anfield - a moment of madness for which he faces a lengthy ban from the Football Association.

Coach Antonetti to leave Stade Rennes at end of season

Thomson ReutersApril 23, 2013 05:30

PARIS (Reuters) - Stade Rennes coach Frederic Antonetti will leave the Ligue 1 club at the end of a disappointing season. Rennes are 10th in Ligue 1, after reaching as high as fourth in January, and have little to play for in their remaining six league games. An eight-match winless streak dashed any hopes of playing in European competition next season.

Football: Antonetti announces Rennes departure

Agence France-PresseApril 23, 2013 05:16

Rennes coach Frederic Antonetti said Tuesday he will leave the Brittany club at the end of the season when his current four-year deal runs out. The 51-year-old's announcement comes just a few days after his side lost the French League Cup final to Saint-Etienne. "After four great years my adventure with Stade Rennais FC will come to an end. I have, in effect, decided to leave the club, in part due to this difficult end to the season," Antonetti said in a statement published on the club's website staderennais.com.

Football: Ferguson sees echoes of greatness in RVP rocket

Agence France-PresseApril 22, 2013 21:00

Manchester United manager Alex Ferguson claimed Robin van Persie's breathtaking second goal in their title-clinching 3-0 win over Aston Villa proved his side deserve a place in history. Van Persie lashed home a stunning first-time volley from 20 yards in the 13th minute of Monday's game at Old Trafford as United sank Villa to secure an unprecedented 20th English league title. The Dutch striker had already opened the scoring after just 83 seconds and he completed his hat-trick before half-time with a composed finish from Ryan Giggs' pass.

Football: Arsenal appeal over Giroud red card

Agence France-PresseApril 22, 2013 10:46

Arsenal on Monday appealed against France striker Olivier Giroud's dismissal during Saturday's 1-0 win against Fulham. Giroud was sent off by referee Andre Marriner in the 90th minute at Craven Cottage after lunging into a challenge on Fulham's Stanislav Manolev. The former Montpellier star faces a three-match ban, which would be a significant blow to Arsenal's hopes of qualifying for the Champions League, so the Gunners have opted to appeal.

Football: Fernandez to replace Girard at Montpellier

Agence France-PresseApril 22, 2013 08:32

Out-going French champions Montpellier on Monday confirmed that Jean Fernandez will succeed Rene Girard as coach next season. Fernandez, 58, who left struggling Nancy in January, will sign a two-year deal with Montpellier which will come into effect from July. Girard took over at the Stade de la Mosson in the summer of 2009 but Montpellier president Louis Nicollin revealed last month that he would not be offering his title-winning coach an extension to his existing deal, which expires at the end of this campaign.

Football: PSG ease past Nice, edge closer to title

Agence France-PresseApril 21, 2013 18:47

Paris Saint-Germain moved another step closer to claiming their first Ligue 1 crown in 19 years with a commanding 3-0 victory over 10-man Nice on Sunday. Jeremy Menez struck a 10th-minute opener at Parc des Princes, while Zlatan Ibrahimovic netted his league-leading 27th goal from the penalty spot following goalkeeper David Ospina's dismissal before Clement Chantome added a late third to leave Carlo Ancelotti's side needing just seven points from their final five matches. "I'm very happy tonight. We're nine points ahead, that means the title is close," said Ancelotti.

Lille leave it late to stay on track for Champions League

Thomson ReutersApril 21, 2013 11:47

PARIS (Reuters) - Lucas Digne and Marko Basa struck late as Lille kept their Champions League challenge alive with a 2-1 win at Bastia in Ligue 1 on Sunday. Basa netted the winner two minutes into stoppage time after Digne's missile five minutes from time had cancelled out Wahbi Khazri's opener as Lille moved up to fourth on 56 points with five games left, three points adrift of third-placed Olympique Lyon who occupy the qualifying spot for the Champions League third preliminary round.

Football: Saint Etienne end 32-year wait for silverware

Agence France-PresseApril 20, 2013 17:30

Saint Etienne won their first major honour in three decades on Saturday, beating Rennes 1-0 to lift the League Cup at the Stade de France. Brazilian striker Brandao scored the only goal in the 18th minute to lift the trophy for a third time after two successful campaigns with former club Marseille. "Thirty two years is a long time -- our first time at the Stade de France and we did it. Brandao was our locomotive but the whole team were fantastic," said coach Christophe Galtier.