Reims will host in-form Lyon in the first division of the soccer league on Monday X. The team suffered a heavy defeat in the Champions League in midweek, 0-6 away to Arsenal. Reims suffered a major setback in the Champions League in midweek when they lost 0-6 away to Arsenal, their biggest defeat in European competition. Now that they are third in their Champions League group, it will be especially important for them to find a recovery in the domestic league.
Despite the setback in the Champions League, Reims have been quite impressive in the domestic league. Under the guidance of Frank Eis, the team has quickly adjusted since their poor performance at the start of the league, going on an eight-game unbeaten run including five consecutive wins. Last year's best defensive team, the Lancers, seem to have found their groove, going five straight games without conceding a goal in league play. If they can keep the ball in the back of the net this weekend, Reims will equal the longest goalless streak in Ligue 1 since the February-April 1998 campaign. Last season, they ended a six-game home winless streak against this team with a 1-0 victory over Lyon.
On the other hand, Lyon's performance in Ligue 1 this season can be described as disastrous. The team is currently at the bottom of the league table with only 7 points after 12 rounds of matches, which is the worst start of the season for the team since the turn of the century. Despite the turmoil over the managerial change, they got their first win of the season in their last away game against Rennes. Right now, the shadow of relegation is hanging over the former Ligue 1 giants. Lyon have not finished in the bottom half of the league since the 1995-1996 season. But they have shown some signs of recovery with two points from their last three league games.
