No Champagne in Reims [1-1]

There are two ways of looking at this result for the Girondins. On the one hand, the boys were furious at themselves for conceding an equaliser in injury time. On the other hand, they can count themselves lucky to have come away with a point from a game which Reims dominated. And yet, it all started so well. After a few early chances for the hosts, Bordeaux took the lead thanks to a slice of genius from Josh Maja. Aurélien Tchouaméni charged down the right and floated in a cross, which the Nigerian international tipped into the net with a superb backheel » (0-1, 27’). The rest of the first half was one-way traffic, with Bordeaux defending valiantly and Benoît Costil on imperious form under the Reims onslaught.  Costil produced a flurry of acrobatic saves to keep the Girondins in the game on multiple occasions (13’, 24’, 29’, 48’, 72’). Pablo also put in a magnificent tackle to disposses Boulaye Dia just as he seemed to be through on goal (33’). Reims thought they'd finally pulled one back when Alaixys Romao scored with a header, but the linesman's flag was already up (36’). The second half was much the same, with Reims piling on the pressure as Bordeaux put up a brave defence. A combination of tiredness and technical imprecisions meant the Girondins struggled to make any real headway in attack. Time was ticking away and Bordeaux were still ahead, with the bus firmly parked in front of Benoît Costil's goal. But Reims refused to give up, even when Alaixys Romao was sent off for two rough challenges on Aurélien Tchouaméni (72’). Paulo Sousa tried to shore things up by bringing on Youssouf Sabaly (62’), Vukasin Jovanovic (80’) and Youssef Aït Bennasser (84’), but Bordeaux still couldn't quite hold on. In the very last seconds of this punishing game, Suk picked out Boulaye Dia in the centre. Costil finally cracked, and Reims salvaged a point in extremis (1-1, 90+3’). Seeing two points slip away in such circumstances is a bitter pill to swallow for the Girondins, but Reims clearly deserved the draw. No time to dwell on what might have been, Bordeaux will be back in action against Nîmes on Tuesday.