After a long and successful mercato for LOSC the club’s opening match of the 2009/2010 Ligue 1 season awaits tomorrow at the Stadium Lille Métropole. Here is a short transfer summary before I delve into tomorrow’s match:

Transfers In
Aubameyang (loan-Milan AC)
Butelle (Valencia)
Douaniama (Orléans)
Franquart (return on loan-Le Havre)
Gervinho (Le Mans)
Landreau (PSG)
L.Touré (return on loan-Grenoble)

Transfers Out
Bastos (Lyon)
Lebbihi (Zulte-Waregem)
Makiesse (Zulte-Waregem)
Malicki (fc-Dijon)
Moro (Malines)
Tafforeau (fc-Caen)
Taravel (Zulte-Waregem)
Youla (Eskisehirspor)
Yanes (Cucuta Deportivo)

The home start to the season can potentially garner us an early 3 points in the table. Nevertheless, at the start of a new season we still aren’t exactly sure the power rankings for the league. Players are still adjusting to new managers, clubs, and formations. Kickoff is at 17h local time. The last three encounters between the two clubs have ended in two victories and two draws:

2008/2009 11/29/2008 LOSC 1 – 1 FC Lorient
2007/2008 08/04/2007 LOSC 0 – 0 FC Lorient
2006/2007 10/21/2006 LOSC 1 – 0 FC Lorient
2001/2002 08/04/2001 LOSC 3 – 1 FC Lorient

The line-ups have not been officially announced yet. I predict a narrow victory for Lille of 1-0. I do expect the usual 4-2-3-1 formation used by the club.

Full name: Tony Mario Sylva.
Nationality: Senegalese.
Age: 33 years old.
Birth Date: May 17, 1975.
Birth Place: Guediawaye, Sénégal.
Height: 1m85.
Weight: 77kg.
Position: Goalkeeper.
Matches Played For Lille: Approx. 161.
Notable Awards:
Champion of France in 2000 (AS Monaco)
2003 Coupe de la Ligue winner (AS Monaco).
Intertoto Cup Winner (LOSC).
2005 Vice Champion of Ligue 1 (LOSC).
Best goalkeeper CAN 2002 (Sénégal).
Quarter finalist CAN 2004 (Sénégal).
Finalist of the African Cup of Nations in 2002 (Sénégal).
Quarter finalist in the 2002 World Cup (Sénégal).
CAN 2006 Semi finalist (Sénégal).

Lille’s Yohan Cabaye spoke about Rio Mavuba’s transfer to Lille:
“Rio’s arrival will also help immensely. Even though he is still young, he brings his experience and above all his desire to play. We can’t forget that he has international experience also. Knowing that he was playing with us, either Makoun or me, the team played better. Rio helped us to ascend in the table.”

Emil Lyng was one of LOSC’s first signings of the mercato. The 17 year old Dane seems pleased with his move: “Mikkel Beck told me about his first talks with Lille. I decided to try to negotiate also. I gave my best and I had a chance to impress. I was proud of myself. Next, everything came so quickly. And I fell in love with the city’s charm and the region. I am very proud to have signed with LOSC. But it is only the beginning.”

Arrivee Frau Lille – Maoulida Lens – Jubii TV

In the current transfer window, Lille has only made three moves so far. Tahirovic was loaned to FC Zurich, and L. Touré was loaned to Grenoble. Les dogues, signed former PSG striker Pierre-Alain Frau, for a three year contract. Frau is currently 27 years old. His past clubs include: Sochaux, Lyon, Lens, and then PSG. His best Ligue 1 season arguably was the 2003/2004 season where he scored 17 goals in 36 matches. He has had a pretty long career. With PSG he helped Pauleta on offense, but he himself scored few goals. Frau only scored 7 goals in 42 matches with PSG. How much he can really help Lille now? During his first match with the club, he did not prove very effective.