Bordeaux couldn't quite do it (2-3)

Bordeaux came so close. When Nicolas de Préville put the Girondins 2-1 up in the 38th minute, putting the finishing touch to a superb counter-attack which he himself had initiated, victory seemed within reach. And yet, the match had got off to a difficult start for the home side. Pinned back and struggling to break out of their own half, the Girondins endured wave after wave of Lyon attacks. Inevitably, Depay put the visitors ahead in the 14th minute. Despite seeming devoid of attacking ideas so far, Bordeaux soon equalised from a free kick. When the first attempt bounced back off the Lyon wall, Otavio delivered an incredible chipped pass for Jimmy Briand to slam past Lopes from close range. 1-1 in the 30th minute, the Girondins had bought themselves some breathing space! And then, just a few minutes later, Nicolas de Préville nudged Bordeaux ahead (38’) thanks to a lightning-quick counter-attack he orchestrated with the help of Toma Basic and Jimmy Briand. Bordeaux were ahead at the break, and victory seemed within reach. The second half started evenly enough, with the Girondins looking to retain control. But the cracks soon began to show. Jules Koundé scuffed a clearance at a crucial moment, leaving Cornet free to slot the ball into the open goal (67’). The match now seemed set for stalemate, until Vukasin Jovanovic picked up a red card which stunned everybody (74’). With a numerical advantage in their favour, Lyon eventually overwhelmed the Bordeaux back line. Dembélé snatched victory with a late winner from the penalty spot (85’). For 50 minutes tonight, Bordeaux dared to believe.