Ligue 1 preview: Lille eager to kick-start title defence

Florent Balmont has backed defending champions Lille to record their first win of the Ligue 1 season when they host Montpellier on Sunday.

Midfielder Balmont was part the Lille team that completed an impressive 640 passes in their match at Nancy last weekend, but could only manage a 1-1 draw in what was the opening round of the campaign.

Lille had previously gone down 5-4 to Marseille in the curtain-raising Trophee des Champions, having lost key men such as Gervinho, Adil Rami and Yohann Cabaye in the close-season.

But Balmont insists the remaining players are equipped to retain their title in 2011/12.

“We definitely deserved to beat Nancy,” Balmont said.

“We used the ball well against a team that was set up just to defend and we’ll have to get used to playing sides where it’s difficult to find space for the forwards.”

“In terms of our play, it’s just like last season.”

“I expected us to have more trouble as a number of new players have come in. But they’ve integrated well.”

And Balmont also claims the team are already in top condition despite the league season being just one week old.

“I think our physical preparation explains why we’re at ease at the start of this season,” he said.

“Usually our work is set up so that we finish the season well and are good in the final sprint.”

“This season we got to the heart of the matter quicker with the Trophee des Champions match. Personally, I feel full of running and at ease.”

Their opponents, Montpellier, opened their account with a 3-1 win at home to Auxerre last weekend.

The latter have a tough assignment on Sunday when they host Marseille, the team that preceded Lille as champions in 2009/10.

In the third match on Sunday, promoted Evian welcome Nice to Annecy.

Big-spending Paris Saint-Germain, who went down 1-0 at home to Lorient last week, will look to get their revolution on track at Stade Rennes on Saturday, although high-profile signing Javier Pastore is unlikely to be involved.

Lyon, third last season behind Lille and Marseille, host promoted Ajaccio, while another promoted side, Dijon, travel to Toulouse.

Valenciennes await the visit of Brest and Nancy go to St Etienne.

Also on Saturday, Lorient are at home to Bordeaux, while Caen travel to face Sochaux.