Fuente : UEFA (English)
http://www.uefa.com/

UEFA Football Europe:Domestic duty for Intertoto finalists

/noticias.info/ RC Lens play host to Olympique de Marseille in the French Ligue 1 this weekend as both sides attempt to get their first points before playing UEFA Intertoto Cup final first legs four days later.

European obligations
The two teams, who have both enjoyed more recent success in European than domestic cushion, meet on Saturday afternoon before Lens travel to Romania to face CFR Cluj and Marseille head due west for their away leg at RC Deportivo La Coruña.

Opening defeats
Marseille endured a nightmarish opening day, going down 2-0 at home to FC Girondins de Bordeaux, while Lens lost by the same score at FC Nantes Atlantique, who narrowly avoided relegation last season.

Opening period crucial
"On Saturday I target victory and nothing else," said Lens coach Francis Gillot who has a fully fit squad. In Nantes, his team conceded both goals in the first eight minutes, and they will be especially keen to make a solid start this time.

Fans exert pressure
Marseille sparkled in a 3-0 Intertoto Cup victory against S.S. Lazio on Wednesday, and should be unchanged for Saturday’s trip up north. "I expect the players to confirm their level at Lens," said Marseille coach Jean Fernandez. No points from two games, even with a UEFA Cup spot within reach, would leave Marseille's notoriously demanding fans greatly displeased.

Sochaux test
Early leaders Paris Saint-Germain FC, who have not topped the table for five seasons, face a test of their mettle at FC Sochaux-Montbéliard, which could give Bordeaux and Toulouse FC the chance to go top with home games against promoted AS Nancy-Lorraine and OGC Nice respectively.

Sunday games
Champions Olympique Lyonnais welcome RC Strasbourg to the Stade Gerland on Sunday, when Stade Rennais FC play FC Nantes Atlantique. The day before LOSC Lille Métropole visit Corsica to face AC Ajaccio, while AS Monaco FC forward Olivier Kapo looks set to miss out on a date with former employers AJ Axuerre, as he is struggling with a thigh injury.

Promoted sides
Le Mans UC 72, who lost their top-flight comeback against Lyon, welcome FC Metz, who lost 4-1 to PSG last week. The third newcomers, ES Troyes Aube Champagne play AS Saint-Etienne. notas_de_prensa_archivo