Corps de texte
The Girondins travelled south to face Montpellier this afternoon, in their 33rd outing of the Conforama Ligue 1 season. Bordeaux started the day 12th in the league, knowing that victory here would take them back into the top 10. Faced with the second most efficient defence in the league, Gus Poyet's side knew they had their work cut out.
Poyet made several changes to the team that beat Lille last week at the Matmut ATLANTIQUE, with Malcom out and Vada and Contento in.
A STRONG FIRST HALF
The game kicked off at 3pm, with the Stade de La Mosson bathed in spring sunshine. The Girondins had a scare in the first few minutes when Jules Koundé fouled MSHC's Paul Lasne on the edge of the box. Koundé got a yellow card for his troubles, but things could have been a lot worse if Mbenza's free kick hadn't rebounded off Benoît Costil's crossbar (4th minute).
This close call seemed to jolt the Girondins into action, and their attacking efforts were soon rewarded with a corner. Martin Braithwaite, partnering François Kamano up front today, rose above the crowd to head the ball into the back of the net! Bordeaux were up and running! (0-1, 9')
Finally, Martin Braithwaite was able to celebrate his first goal for Bordeaux. Poyet's tactical changes seemed to be paying off, as the Girondins played with renewed drive and creativity.
This goal, somewhat against the run of play, came as a shock to the 14,000 home fans. The ground fell quiet, a sign of things to come.
The Girondins looked confident now, moving the ball around in midfield and running "La Paillade" ragged. For the travelling fans, Bordeaux's sense of commitment in midfield was highly encouraging. But referee Karim Abed did not quite share this opinion, and Braithwaite soon joined Koundé in his notebook.
In the 40th minute, with half time rapidly approaching, Montpellier's lack of possession, precision and goals led to a growing sense of frustration. The fouls began to pile up, and Sio picked up a yellow card for a reckless challenge on Plasil.
Despite looking slightly shaky in these tense final minutes, Bordeaux were still ahead at the break.
BORDEAUX HOLD ON
The sun was still shining down as the teams returned to the pitch at La Mosson. Paillade coach Michel Der Zakarian decided to make a change at half time, bringing on Dolly for Ikoné. The Girondins didn't seem to notice, as they went back to dominating play. Lukas Lerager delivered a magnificent pass for François Kamano who chested the ball down, passed his man and fired the ball past Lecomte! (48', 0-2) The keeper had no chance.
Montpellier's frustration was really beginning to show now: Lukas Lerager ended up with a bandage around his head after a particularly robust clash.
With 30 minutes still left to play, neither side showed any signs of slowing down and both teams had chances in front of goal.
The Girondins were under pressure but never cracked. The tactics looked simple enough: preserve the lead at all costs. Gus Poyet soon made this abundantly clear with a tactical substitution, bringing on Théo Pellenard for Valentin Vada to shut down the defence.
But it was another defender - Diego Contento, named in the starting line-up for the first time this season - who helped seal the win. He charged down the left flank and hooked back an excellent ball for Soualiho Meïté, who duly smashed it past Lecomte and into the back of the net! (79')
Another first for the Girondins - first goal for Meïté, on loan from AS Monaco!
Credit must go to Michel Der Zakarian's men for never letting their heads go down. Dolly was a constant menace down the left wing, even though his crosses were fairly scattershot. When the Bordeaux defence failed to clear their lines, Tunisian international Skhiri pounced and curled a fine shot past Costil (88', 3-1).
Montpellier then went on to win a late penalty in highly debatable circumstances, thanks to some theatrics from Lasne. But Benoît Costil capped off an excellent performance with a splendid save to keep Bordeaux two goals clear! Justice was served.
After four minutes of stoppage time, and some nervy moments in and around the Bordeaux box, the referee finally blew up for full time.
3-1 to Bordeaux, the Girondins' first win away from home since beating Strasbourg back in February.
A hugely important victory for Bordeaux, who host league champions Paris Saint-Germain next weekend.
