By Patrick Vignal
PARIS, July 31 - Olympique Lyon, in a class of
their own in Ligue 1 since 2002 have no intention of loosening
their grip on the title as they focus on winning it for the
sixth successive season.
"It's getting more difficult every year because our
opponents are getting organised and we have to remain cautious,
which doesn't mean we are not ambitious," Lyon president
Jean-Michel Aulas said in the build-up to the new campaign which
starts on Friday.
"We are extremely ambitious", added the steadfast business
executive, who has turned Lyon from a sleepy provincial side
into the powerhouse of French soccer courtesy of his managerial
skills.
Lyon highlighted their supremacy last term by winning a
record fifth successive league title, setting a single season
84-point record and losing only four games in the process.
Now they want more.
"The number one priority is to win a sixth consecutive
title, which I believe no club from a major European league has
ever done," Aulas told a news conference.
Lyon can only be dreaming of making an impact in Europe at
last but Aulas was careful not to set any precise goal following
three successice Champions League exits at the quarter-final
stage.
"We want to go as far as possible in every competition we
enter and that obviouysly goes for the Champions League as
well," says Aulas.
REASSURING PRESENCES
Unlike before last season, when they could not resist a
lucrative offer from Chelsea for Ghana midfielder Michael
Essien, Lyon have managed to retain their most valued players.
With the reassuring presence of French international Gregory
Coupet in goal and Brazilian international Cris in the centre
back position, they promise to be just as impregnable.
They also boast one of Europe's most admired midfields with
Brazil's free kick specialist Juninho Pernambucano, Mali's
iron-man Mahamadou Diarra and Portugal's Tiago forming a magical
triangle.
Sweden's Kim Kallstrom and fellow midfielder Jeremy Toulalan
have joined from Stade Rennes and Nantes respectively and should
prove suitable replacements if needed.
The French champions have also courted top French prospect
Franck Ribery but Olympique Marseille are unlikely to let the
energetic France midfielder join their rivals.
It could be argued that Lyon still miss a genuine world
class striker but they are pinning many hopes on homegrown
talent Karim Benzema, a gifted 18-year-old forward who looked
extremely promising in 13 league appearances last season.
"There is a lot of quality in our team," said coach Gerard
Houllier.
"Not only do we have excellent players with plenty of
experience but I'm also convinced our youngsters like Benzema
will reach a new dimension."