Girondins on devastating form [1-3]

A few days before the Ligue 1 season kicks off, the Girondins travelled to Ukraine for a match which could already prove to be decisive for the success of the coming campaign. Of course there's still the small matter of a second leg at the Matmut ATLANTIQUE next week, but getting a result in Mariupol was crucial to maintaining Bordeaux's chances of qualifying for the Europa League. Things got off to a terrible start, as Mariupol rapidly took the lead. After a first warning shot from Formin, well stopped by Costil (5’), a superb half-volley from Mishnyov put the hosts ahead (1-0, 7’).  But the Girondins kept their cool and soon started to see more of the ball. Maxime Poundjé, Zaydou Youssouf, Pablo and Gaëtan Laborde  came close to equalising, but fell just short. Poyet's team kept surging forward, and that pressure finally paid off in the 33rd minute. In his first starting performance, Gaëtan Laborde levelled the scores with the help of a superb assist from Younousse Sankharé (1-1, 33’). Laborde made it two just a few minutes later, pouncing on an unfortunate error by the Mariupol keeper (1-2, 37’).  After the break the Girondins kept on pushing to extend their lead. The opportunity soon came from a flowing collective movement, when Younousse Sankharé laid off a neat ball for Aurélien Tchouaméni to slot coolly past the goalkeeper. A first professional goal for Aurélien (1-3, 49’).  For the rest of the game Bordeaux were happy to sit back and defend their lead, keeping the Ukrainians on a short leash. Boryachuk rattled the woodwork in the 62nd minute, but it was the Girondins who looked most likely to score again. Gaëtan Laborde came tantalisingly close to nabbing a hat trick, but had one shot saved (68’) and pushed a late effort just wide of Khudzhamov's right post (93’). In the meantime, late sub Valentin Vada (on for the superb Younousse Sankharé) almost scored with his very first touch of the ball (88’).  Bordeaux put in a solid performance to earn a vital win in Ukraine, a result which puts qualification for the final Europa League play-off within their reach. Well done boys, now on to Ligue 1!.