Another hard-earned point [2-2]

Goals, near misses, chances galore… This was a classic night of Ligue 1 football at the Matmut ATLANTIQUE. It was a real game of two halves, and the visitors came out on top in the first period. And yet, it all started so well for Bordeaux... In just the 6th minute, Yassine Benrahou placed a cross neatly onto the head of Jimmy Briand. Jimmy was cutting in at the front post, leaving Brest keeper Larsonneur without a chance (1-0, 6’). But then… Brest bounced back to take control, showcasing their energetic, fast-paced footballing style. Grandsir narrowly missed the target (16’). A warning the Girondins failed to heed. Minutes later Autret and Charbonnier produced some lovely link-up play to give the ball to Court in space. The latter volleyed into the centre, where Grandsir was waiting at the back post to smash home the equaliser (1-1, 20’). What a goal! Galvanised by this goal, the visitors kept up the pressure on Bordeaux. Charbonnier (30’), Grandsir (31’ and 40’), Perraud (34’) and Autret (42’) all looked threatening. Bordeaux were in trouble here, and the inevitable eventually happened. Just before the break, the seemingly omnipresent Grandsir laid off a magnificent ball for Court on the right. Court charged into the box, stalled and teed up Autret for an easy tap-in (1-2, 45’+2). Whatever happened at half-time it was clearly just what Bordeaux needed: they returned looking much more determined, and Brest soon found themselves pinned back in their own half. Otavio tried his luck with a few long range efforts, narrowly missing the mark (53’, 69’) before coming closer still later on (90’). Bordeaux created a real flurry of chances with both Maja (65’) and Kalu (78’ and 82’) coming close. Finally, the well-deserved equaliser came courtesy of a corner struck by Yacine Adli, which Pablo slammed home with a superb header (2-2, 70’). Brest refused to give up the ghost, and Alexandre Mendy hit the post after a lightning-quick counter-attack (67’). That equalised the woodwork stakes, since Yassine Benrahou had already rattled the upright a few minutes earlier from a promisingly-placed free kick (63’). Despite the lively support from the Bordeaux faithful, the match ended 2-2. A hard-earned point for both sides, although the Girondins will surely feel that they deserved better after the second half performance they produced. Paulo Sousa's side preserve their unbeaten record, and will be hoping to get back to winning ways next Wednesday in Amiens.