France may still be struggling to find a way past Romania at international level, but French club sides must be wishing they could face their Liga 1 counterparts every week.

Such is the speed at which young players are deserting Ligue 1 these days, it comes as something of a surprise to see the exceptional Karim Benzema still sporting the colours of his hometown club. The 20-year-old striker exploded on to the French and European scenes last year, firing Olympique Lyonnais to their seventh straight title with 20 goals and inspiring the 3-0 win over Rangers FC at Ibrox that sealed the club's passage to the knockout stage of the UEFA Champions League.

It is 15 years since France's lone triumph in the UEFA Champions League, and while Olympique de Marseille's night of glory was not exactly recorded in black and white, it undoubtedly belongs to a bygone era in which French clubs were flush with funds and Les Bleus were perennial no-hopers.

Another round of UEFA Champions League fixtures, another blow to Gallic pride. Olympique Lyonnais collected the only point achieved by a Ligue 1 outfit on Matchday 2 and some are wondering if French clubs are cruelly lacking at the highest level.