Mexico goalkeeper Guillermo Ochoa adjusting to life in France with AC Ajaccio

Posted Saturday, August 13, 2011 by YAHOO Sport

Guillermo Ochoa first match with AC Ajaccio was probably a pretty good representation of how his first season will unfold: His team struggled to create chances on the offensive end, while he was kept plenty busy in goal, facing eight shots on the night.

Eventually, Ajaccio fell to visiting Toulouse by a 2-0 score, a tough loss to begin the home side's campaign in Ligue 1 after promotion from the second division last year.

The Mexican international looked sharp in goal, making two highlight-worthy saves to keep his side in the match but ultimately the visitors' superior quality shone through, and Ochoa could do very little about either goal.

“You have to understand this is a start and move forward with strength and conviction,” Ochoa said of his initial foray into Europe after his summer transfer from Club America.

Rumored to be heading to free-spending Paris Saint-German in the summer, Ochoa eventually settled with Corsica-based club AC Ajaccio. While PSG has its sights set on a Ligue 1 title and European glory, Ajaccio is merely hoping to survive in the French top-flight.

The transfer saga was just part of a tumultuous summer for “Memo”, as he was also suspended from Mexico's ultimately triumphant Gold Cup squad for testing positive for a banned substance. He had to watch as backup Alfredo Talavera lifted the trophy along with his Mexico teammates.

One of the biggest challenges Ochoa faces in his first year in France is learning a new language. As a goalkeeper, who is usually the most vocal and frequent communicator on the pitch, the adaptation becomes of even greater importance.

"Necessity makes you learn," Ochoa said. “I'm talking to them in Spanish and no one understands me, so I've had to learn by hearing it, asking questions… for the time I've been there I'm doing well, and as a goalkeeper, it's necessary."

Unlike many players in a new country, Ochoa has opted to forgo the use of a translator.

“It's just me over there - I've looked in books, on the Internet, pretty much everywhere," he said. "I've been studying hard."

For Ajaccio, the challenge gets even greater Saturday, as it travels to the Stade de Gerland to face powerhouse Lyon, coming off an opening day 3-1 victory at Nice. Any points for the visiting side will have to be considered a bonus.

For Ochoa, it will be just another step in his first season abroad, which he hopes will end with a new language mastered, and a top-flight status assured.