1

1

http://s105.photobucket.com/user/chrisgriffin89/media/sAvpQ2L_zpsdzfsl4u9.png.html

Champions Trophy Preview

http://s105.photobucket.com/user/chrisgriffin89/media/250width_zpsrceupe7f.jpg.html

Toulouse

Key Player: William Matheus
Leading Scorer: Wissam Ben Yedder (40)
Recent Form: XWWWW
Injuries: Loic Bessile
Suspensions: N/A

-----

AS Saint-Etienne

Key Player: Loic Perrin
Leading Scorer: Emmanuel Emenike (27)
Recent Form: LXLLW
Injuries: N/A
Suspensions: Kian Hansen

1

http://s105.photobucket.com/user/chrisgriffin89/media/sAvpQ2L_zpsdzfsl4u9.png.html

Toulouse Claim Champions Trophy In Thriller

http://s105.photobucket.com/user/chrisgriffin89/media/296d8df5-f401-4b84-82ee-687ae096fe6b_zpshn5rvelu.png.html
Fans came out in numbers to see Toulouse to claim the Champions Trophy

---

Toulouse 3 - 3 AS Saint-Etienne

In an incredible match, Toulouse have won the Champions Trophy by penalties for the second year in a row despite being ahead 3-0 at half time.

Toulouse got off to a tremendous start with Wissam Ben Yedder opening the scoring in the 10th minute by heading home a cross from new recruit Dimitri Foulquier. Five minutes later, Toulouse would find the back of the net again, this time it was Oscar Trejo who found himself on the end of a cross from Foulquier to give his side a 2-0 lead. Things would get worse for AS Saint-Etienne when Cristian Pavon scored in the 34th minute, giving Toulouse a 3-0 lead heading into half time.

At the start of the second half, AS Saint-Etienne came out like they had nothing to lose as they played with much more energy than the first half. It was Emmanuel Emenike who changed the game for AS Saint-Etienne, scoring twice in two minutes to reduce the lead to one goal with twenty minutes left in the game. After the brace from Emenike, Toulouse began to play defensively looking to defend their lead until Deniz Turuc sent the AS Saint-Etienne fans into raptures when he scored in the 88th minute to send the game into penalties.

Both sides managed to convert their first three penalties before M’Baye Niang had his penalty saved by Stephane Ruffier to see AS Saint-Etienne gain an advantage over Toulouse. The advantage was instantly taken back when Predrag Rajkovic saved a penalty from Herman Stengel. Kelechi Iheanacho stepped up for Toulouse and put the ball in the back of the net to see all the pressure placed on former Toulouse player Issiaga Sylla to keep AS Saint-Etienne alive. Sylla stepped up but hit the crossbar to see his Toulouse claim the Champions Trophy for the second year in a row.

“I am very happy we won but we still have to be better in closing out the match, we should never have let the game go to penalties.” said Toulouse captain Emanuel Mammana. “Despite this, I couldn’t ask for a better start as a captain and I am delighted to see the club win another another trophy.” he added.

Both sides will now begin preparation for the Ligue 1 season with Toulouse looking to defend their Ligue 1 crown but the likes of Paris Saint-Germain, AS Monaco and Olympique Lyonnais are all believed to be more likely to claim the title. AS Saint-Etienne are predicted to finish eighth by the media but their fans hold high hopes as they prepare for European football after their French Cup victory last season.

1

1

1

1

http://s105.photobucket.com/user/chrisgriffin89/media/sAvpQ2L_zpsdzfsl4u9.png.html

Toulouse Face Tough Champions League Draw

http://s105.photobucket.com/user/chrisgriffin89/media/champions_league_zpssfyyj43p.jpg.html
The UEFA Champions League will see Toulouse face new challenges

• Toulouse have been drawn in Group G alongside Barcelona, Leverkusen and Viktoria Pizen
• In the opening round sees Toulouse face Bayern Leverkusen at Stadium Municipal
• Arsenal defeated Tottenham in the UEFA Champions League final last season

Toulouse have been drawn in Group G alongside Barcelona, Leverkusen and Viktoria Pizen in the UEFA Champions League. Barcelona will provide a tough task for Toulouse with the Spanish side having an incredible history in the UEFA Champions League, winning the competition five times.

Considered one of the favourites to win the competition, Barcelona have high expectations heading into the group stage. “The squad underachieved last season and the fans certainly expect much better.” said Barcelona manager Paco Jemez. “I believe this is a very good draw for us and I expect us to qualify comfortably.” he added.

Performing terrifically last season, Bayern Leverkusen finished equal on points with Borussia Dortmund last season, losing the title on goal difference on the final day. Bayern Leverkusen manager Roger Schmidt has a talented squad at his disposal including players like Lars Bender, Timo Werner and Julian Brandt.

Despite being considered the underdogs in Group G, Viktoria Pizen have won the Czech First Division three years in a row. “We go into the competition with no pressure, I hope we are able to be competitive and the experience allows our team to grow and learn.” said Viktoria Pizen manager Karel Krejci.

In the opening round of Group G, Toulouse will face Bayern Leverkusen at Stadium Municipal. The tournament was won last year by Arsenal who defeated Tottenham at Millennium Stadium in Wales with a goal from Mesut Ozil proving the difference in the 1-0 victory.

1