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Saint-Etienne's Stade Geoffroy-Guichard was bathed in sunshine and packed to the rafters this afternoon (with the exception of one stand closed by the league authorities for disciplinary reasons). The Girondins travelled east for a make-or-break match against ASSE. The stakes were high: a win here would put the Girondins back within three points of the Greens, keeping our hopes of European qualification alive.
Against the run of play
Saint-Etienne got off to the better start, with Jean-Louis Gasset's side pressing hard and preventing the Girondins from settling into the game. Debuchy tested Benoît Costil with an early volley (3’). It took a full 15 minutes for Bordeaux to shake off this pressure and push forward, with Malcom breaking into the penalty area only to be knocked down by Cabella. It looked like a blatant penalty… to everybody except referee Mr. Moreira (15’).
Rémy Cabella strikes, Younousse Sankharé responds
As the game ticked on the intensity only seemed to increase. The tackles were flying in midfield, but the Girondins looked to be the better organised of the two sides. Chances were thin on the ground, but two minutes of madness drastically changed the game. Pablo knocked over Beric insude the box, and this time the referee had no trouble calling the penalty. Cabella smashed it past Costil (1-0, 28’). But the Girondins did not let their heads go down, and barely a minute later Youssouf Sabaly charged down the left wing and fired in a cross. Younousse Sankharé rose high to head past Ruffier and level the scores (1-1, 30’).
Girondins' efforts rewarded
Reinvigorated by this goal, Bordeaux began to surge forward at every opportunity. The Girondins' very first corner of the game turned out to be worth the wait: Malcom picked out Pablo, who laid the ball off to Jules Koundé. Koundé duly slipped past Debuchy and smashed his shot into the back of the net (1-2, 36’)! It was very nearly 3 in a row when Malcom, connecting with another superb delivery from Youssouf Sabaly, volleyed just wide (38’). Martin Braithwaite was next, heading Lukas Lerager's cross just outside the post (40’). Bordeaux were ahead at the break, and deservedly so. One slight cause for concern: Younousse Sankharé limped off injured just before half-time, replaced by Jaroslav Plasil (41’).
Bordeaux stay strong
Jean-Louis Gasset changed things up for the second half, bringing on Bamba for Selnaes (46’). Saint-Etienne gradually began to dominate possession, and the intense heat of the afternoon soon began to take its toll. Disciplined in defence and tireless in midfield, Gus Poyet's side gave their all to repel the offensives of Bamba, Hamouma and Ntep, the latter subbed on for Monnet-Paquet (63’).
Brilliant Benoît Costil !
With the end hovering into view, Bordeaux had a few chances but seemed content to hold onto possession and slow the game down. Saint-Etienne, meanwhile, were a constant threat. Benoît Costil breathed a sigh of relief when Bamba's shot ricocheted off his post. Soualiho Meïté suffered a heavy challenge (83’) and had to be replaced by Igor Lewczuk, who immediately picked up a yellow card for a heavy challenge of his own (84’). The Greens kept on surging forward, and soon hit the bar! In the ensuing confusion, Lewczuk looked to have handled the ball. Penalty! Cabella stepped up to take it, but this time Benoît Costil pulled off a huge save to keep Bordeaux in the lead (89’) !
Malcom seals the deal
The end was in sight for Bordeaux, but they weren't content to run down the clock. After a beautiful, flowing movement, Jaroslav Plasil teed up Malcom on the edge of the box. The Brazilian unleashed a fantastic shot to beat Ruffier one last time (1-3, 90’+5). A fair scoreline which reflected Bordeaux's dominance, getting the better of Saint-Etienne in spite of some questionable refereeing. A great performance which keeps our (slim) European hopes alive!
