Marseille experience a Bordeaux headache

Marseille's Brazilian midfielder Demetrius Ferreira(L) is challenged by Bordeaux's French defender Bruno Cheyrou during their French L1 football match at the Velodrome stadium in Marseille. Bordeaux won 2-0.

Former European Champions Marseille tripped up 2-0 at home in their opening French league match against a well organised Bordeaux side.

Marseille, tipped to be one of the main challengers for the title this season, put in a feeble opening display at the Velodrome stadium as the team created just three clear cut chances in the entire 90 minutes.

Bordeaux snatched the lead in the 16th minute when Jean-Claude Darcheville picked out Julian Faubert.

He was lingering near the penalty spot, controlled well, and with the help of a deflection off Abdoulaye Meite the ball flew past Marseille's goalkeeper, Cedric Carasso.

Marseille were lacking firepower as Mamadou Niang and Wilson Oruma were both suspended so manager Jean Fernandez had no choice but to start his young Senegalese striker Rachmane Barry alongside Peggy Lyundula which failed to produce the fireworks.

Marseille's forward Sergio Contreras(L) and Bordeaux defender Kodjo Afanou go for the header during their French L1 football match at the Velodrome stadium in Marseille. Bordeaux won 2-0.

Marseille were down to ten men when Frederic Dehu was sent off after a blatant foul on Marouane Chamakh on the edge of the penalty box in the 54th minute.

Bordeaux then secured the three points in the 87th minute when they exploited a counter-attack move.

Darcheville spotted substitute Pierre Ducasse who fired in the second goal.

On Friday a new look Paris Saint Germain side made their intentions clear with a 4-1 win over Metz in their opening match.

The summer signings of midfielder Vikash Dhorasoo from AC Milan and striker Bonaventure Kalou, who grabbed the opening goal, from Auxerre provided the French capital's team with a winning edge.

PSG poured on the pressure from the kick-off and within five minutes they made their mark when the Ivory Coast's Kalou headed his new club into the lead.

He met an outswinging corner from Jerome Rothen, Metz goalkeeper Gregory Wimbee wasn't given a chance as he rose above the defence to power his header home.

Marseille's captain Frederic Dehu(L) is challenges Bordeaux midfielder Antonio Mavuba during their French L1 football match at the Velodrome stadium in Marseille. Bordeaux won 2-0.

Pauleta could have scored a second in the 34th minute, but his firm volley was blocked first by Wimbee and when the ball fell again to the Portuguese striker he was denied by the woodwork.

Three minutes later the Metz defence fell apart when Kalou turned provider, pulling the ball out wide to Edouarde Cisse who shrugged off a challenge from Franck Beria to fire the ball between the legs of Wimbee to score the home side's second.

It took PSG only three minutes after the break to score their third, Kalou launched a firm cross from the right flank that was superbly met by Rothen whose side-footed volley sent Wimbee the wrong way.

Metz coach Joel Muller made a tactical substitution when he brought on South Korea's Ahn Jung-Hwhan for his first appearence in the French league in the 61st minute, replacing Sebastian Renouard.

The former Yokohama Marinos striker gave the travelling fans something to shout about when he scored from just inside the penalty box with a stunning side footed shot that Lionel Letizi could only watch as it hit the back of the net.

But PSG weren't finished.

A fourth goal came in the 81st minute when substitute Christophe Landrin scored with his first touch of the game.

He met a cross from Kalou from the left side of the pitch and produced a diving header past Wimbee.