French League kings Lyon set to reign again

Olympique Lyon, in a class of their own in Ligue 1 since 2002 have no intention of loosening their grip on the title as they focus on winning it for the sixth successive season.

"It's getting more difficult every year because our opponents are getting organised and we have to remain cautious, which doesn't mean we are not ambitious," Lyon president Jean-Michel Aulas said in the build-up to the new campaign which starts on Friday.

"We are extremely ambitious," added the steadfast business executive, who has turned Lyon from a sleepy provincial side into the powerhouse of French soccer courtesy of his managerial skills.

Lyon highlighted their sup-remacy last term by winning a record fifth successive league title, setting a single season 84-point record and losing only four games in the process.

Now they want more.

"The priority is to win a sixth consecutive title, which I believe no club from a major European league has ever done," Aulas said.

Lyon can only be dreaming of making an impact in Europe at last but Aulas was careful not to set any precise goal following three successive Champions League exits at the quarter-final stage.

"We want to go as far as possible in every competition we enter and that obviously goes for the Champions League as well," says Aulas.

Unlike before last season, when they could not resist a lucrative offer from Chelsea for Ghana midfielder Michael Essien, Lyon have managed to retain their most valued players.

With the reassuring presence of French international Gregory Coupet in goal and Brazilian international Cris in the centre-back position, they promise to be just as impregnable. They also boast one of Europe's most admired midfields with Brazil's free-kick specialist Juninho Pernambucano, Mali's iron-man Mahamadou Diarra and Portugal's Tiago forming a magical triangle.

Sweden's Kim Kallstrom and fellow midfielder Jeremy Toulalan have joined from Stade Rennes and Nantes respectively and should prove suitable replacements if needed.

The French champions have also courted top French prospect Franck Ribery but Olympique Marseille are unlikely to let the energetic France midfielder join their rivals.

It could be argued that Lyon still miss a genuine world class striker but they are pinning many hopes on homegrown talent Karim Benzema, a gifted 18-year-old forward who looked extremely promising in 13 league appearances last season.

"There is a lot of quality in our team," said coach Gerard Houllier.

"Not only do we have excellent players with plenty of experience but I'm also convinced our youngsters like Benzema will reach a new dimension."