Marseille take new strike force to Bordeaux

Defending champions Marseille will take a new look strike force with them to Bordeaux on Sunday as they look to build on last weekend’s first win of the season over Lorient.

Didier Deschamps’ team made a slow start to the season losing their first two matches before coming good in round three, the problems caused in part by the fractious departure to Turkish side Fenerbahce of club captain Mamadou Niang – last season’s top scorer in Ligue 1.

This week, however, has seen the champions complete the signings of two strikers – Andre-Pierre Gignac from Toulouse and Loic Remy from Nice – who certainly have the ability to find the back of the net.

Remy’s arrival was clouded by a medical which showed a possible problem with his heart. The Marseille medics were ultimately satisfied that the 15 million euro man would be fit to play but Remy admitted it had caused him a few flutters.

“When there is talk of your career being over, it’s not the best situation,” said Remy. “So this is a huge relief.”

It is uncertain whether Remy will make his debut at the Stade Chaban Delmas but one man who will make the trip is Gignac.

“He?s got potential and quality and I don?t doubt he has the right mental approach too,” said Deschamps who paid out 16 million euros for the 24-year-old.

Marseille come up against a Bordeaux side which appears to have lost a bit of its identity following Laurent Blanc’s decision at the end of last season to take over as coach of the national team.

His successor Jean Tigana has yet to find the right blend although an injury time goal from Michael Ciani enabled them to snatch a 2-1 win at Paris St Germain last week – their first win of the season.

Since then, however, they have lost the key figure of Yoann Gourcuff, the darling of the media and the man around whom Blanc is apparently going to build his France team.

The creative, attacking midfielder shifted his allegiance to Lyon although Bordeaux did at least have the sweetener of a cheque for 22 million euros.

“It?s a new experience, a new challenge. It?s a new chapter. I?m going to have to settle in well,” said Gourcuff who was a member of the Bordeaux side which won the championship in 2008-9.

“I?m motivated, and hope to blend into the squad and do as well as possible. I hope to continue progressing. I?ve come to an ambitious club, and aim to do some great things with this team.”

His first appearance is likely to come on Saturday against the Lorient side coached by his father Christian Gourcuff.

Bordeaux will be boosted, however, by the addition of Niger international striker Moussa Maazou to their squad, the 22-year-old having agreed a one-year loan deal from CSKA Moscow.

Toulouse are the only side to have won all three of their matches so far and they will retain their 100 percent record and top spot in the table if they can overcome Nancy on Saturday.

Ligue 1 new boys Arles-Avignon, meanwhile, will look to pick up their first point of the campaign when they host Rennes.

Fixtures

Saturday (kick off 1700GMT unless stated)

Nancy v Toulouse, Arles-Avignon v Rennes, Valenciennes v Montpellier, Saint-Etienne v Lens, Lorient v Lyon, Caen v Brest (1900GMT)

Sunday (1500GMT unless stated)

Lille v Nice, Sochaux v Paris St Germain, Monaco v Auxerre, Bordeaux v Marseille (1900GMT)