A good end to the week [1-0]

The game got off to a brisk start, with the Girondins pushing forward and creating the first chances on goal for Nicolas De Préville (6’) and Younousse Sankharé (7’). Ajaccio's best moments came courtesy of Ndoye (11’) and Perquis (25’ and 45’+2), but Bordeaux came closest. From a corner, Younousse Sankharé had a header saved on the line and Jules Koundé's rebound effort was blocked in extremis (4’). The rest of the first half was less eventful, with the intense summer heat slowing things down. The Corsicans won a series of set pieces, but the Bordeaux defence kept them under control. Wesley Jobello was probably Ajaccio's best player in the first period, but Igor Lewczuk kept him on a short leash with some big tackles (14’, 35’). The second period picked up where the first had left off, with the "Gaz" and the Girondins fairly evenly matched. But the Corsicans had the first attempt on goal, when Gomis shrugged off Over Mandanda and fired in a shot. Milan Gajic cleared it off the line (47’). At the other end, Jules Koundé looked goalward-bound when he was pushed to the ground on the edge of the box, or maybe just inside... The referee awarded a free kick, not a penalty (57’). Gus Poyet decided it was time for a shake-up, and a raft of substitutions helped Bordeaux to pick up the pace. Gaëtan Laborde (78’, 83’) and Zaydou Youssouf (82’) both put Ajaccio under pressure. Over Mandanda also produced a wonderful save to keep the scores level (78’). Minutes later, Valentin Vada tried his luck from the edge of the box. Ajaccio defender Till Cissokho attempted to handle the ball, but it still ended up in the back of the net. The referee insisted on awarding a penalty. Valentin Vada took it and sent the keeper the wrong way (1-0, 86’). The Girondins will be happy to have secured their first victory of the season over a solid Ajaccio side. A good omen for their return to Bordeaux, and the next big pre-season test against Saint-Etienne on Wednesday.