Bienvenue au Brandywell

Derry City play Paris Saint-Germain tonight in the first round of the UEFA Cup. PSG manager Bernard Lacombe, who, when the draw was made, said that "we know what to expect from British teams, especially Irish ones" has elected to leave three players at home, including French World Cup finalist Vikash Dhorasoo. He wants to rest them ahead of the league match against Nancy on Sunday. Sounds a bit presumptuous to me. PSG, a manufactured team that enjoys a scandalous amount of bias in the French media, have, other than a successful period in the mid-nineties, achieved little in their 36-year history. Watching them is like supporting the Springfield Isotopes, the none-too-great gridiron team in The Simpsons. After three league defeats so far this season, including two at home, they are ripe for another fall. The Candystripes might well sneak a win, in the first leg at least.