Too little, too late

This Sunday afternoon a lot of people were still out hunting Easter eggs, but the Girondins were primed and ready to take on Antoine Kambouaré's EA Guingamp side. The former PSG man and his team came into this game on the back of a bad run, much like Bordeaux, following three defeats and two draws in their last 5 outings. After losing at home to Rennes a few weeks ago, Benoît Costil and co. were keen to get back to winning ways in Guingamp. Before kick-off the whole of the Stade du Roudourou, players, coaches and supporters, paid tribute to young Thomas, an EAG youth player who sadly passed away earlier this week. Girondins' boss Gus Poyet opted for a 4-3-3 formation, with Malcom in the No. 10 role and Martin Braithwaite partnering Nicolas de Préville up front.

A sluggish first half

The Girondins kicked off, and dominated possession for the first ten minutes or so. The pressure gradually began to mount, and Maxime Poundjé earned a yellow card for a slightly over-enthusiastic challenge (7’). Guingamp soon began to feel their way into the game, with a few attacks which were not exactly flamboyant but energetic nonetheless. Clément Grenier and co. had Bordeaux on the run, and it wasn't until the 18th minute, when a moment of genius from Braithwaite delivered a peach of a ball for Malcom, that the Girondins had their first shot on goal. Unfortunately for us, the Brazilian's effort flew well wide. Lukas Lerager, was the next Girondin to try his luck in the 26th minute, with a cool effort from 30 yards out. EAG keeper Johnsson was on solid form, boxing the ball wide for a corner. The first half had been scrappy and disjointed, with neither Guingamp nor Girondins truly managing to stamp their authority on this game. Bordeaux were visibly struggling to click into gear.

Resurrection (but too late)

Guingamp got proceedings underway for the second half, with both sides looking re-energised and more determined. Things took a sudden turn in the 54th minute when Paul Baysse fouled Briand, off the ball but inside the box. Clément Grenier stepped up to the spot, and true to his reputation as a penalty specialist he duly fired past a helpless Benoît Costil with a superb drive into the top left corner (1-0, 55th minute). Three minutes later the hosts doubled their lead courtesy of Diallo, whose half-volley lodged itself in Costil's top right corner (2-0, 58'). Bordeaux were stunned by this double blow, and their frustration soon began to show. Briand capitalised on the confustion and slipped past the defence to set up a one-on-one with Benoît Costil. The keeper's cool head and experience won out, as he easily stopped the striker's attempted nutmeg (76'). In the 77th minute, substitute François Kamano fired a shot into the box: handball - penalty! Malcom stepped up to do the honours, but Johnsson blocked his shot! The Girondins, by now thoroughly enraged, piled towards the Guingamp goal. After an incredible scramble the ball fell once again to Malcolm, who this time slammed it straight into the back of the net! (2-1, 80'). Reinvigorated by this late goal, the Girondins piled on the pressure in the final minutes. Late subs Sankharé, Kamano and Laborde brought some much-needed freshness and attacking energy. Gustavo Poyet, meanwhile, had spent the whole match on his feet, pacing the touchline, shouting instructions to his team, urging them on constantly. But the attacking pressure was too little, too late. After a final headed effort from Gaëtan Laborde and one last Guingamp counter-attack, the referee blew up for full time. The Girondins left the pitch ruing their missed opportunities. If Bordeaux are to turn things around this season, they desperately need to get a result against Lille next weekend.