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The Girondins took to the field tonight with just one objective: keep the ball rolling! Bordeaux came into this game off the back of three straight wins, while Amiens travelled south in desperate need of points. The visitors made no secret of their modest ambitions for this match, setting up in a highly-defensive 5-4-1 formation.
Bordeaux dominate!
That defensive wall was supposed to be impenetrable, but after just 3 minutes Malcolm caused a minor panic with his first attack and a cross which Amiens just about managed to clear (3’). The Girondins quickly took control of possession and set about methodically searching for the weak point in the visitors' back line.
Struggling to create space in open play, the Girondins nonetheless created a few chances from set pieces. From a corner taken by Malcom, Otavio glanced his header towards the front post. This near miss caused a huge goalmouth scramble, but unfortunately none of the Girondins managed to get a foot to the ball.
Amiens were under constant pressure, but still held out. Gaëtan Laborde latched on to a clever ball from Malcom and fired in a first-touch shot from close range. Amiens keeper Gurtner somehow stopped it (22’).
Bordeaux take the lead!
In the 29th minute, Christophe Pelissier's finally decided to launch an attack of their own. The movement was fantastic: a quick one-two, a chip to the far post, a sweet little lay-off by Kakuta for Fofana to slot the ball into the empty goal... and somehow he missed! Luck was clearly not on Amiens' side this evening, and Bordeaux got off lightly. A huge missed opportunity which the visitors would come to rue soon enough.
The Girondins' reply came just 3 minutes later, courtesy of young defender Jules Koundé who headed into the back of the net from a corner (1-0 Bordeaux, 32’). But there was more to come, and within a few minutes Bordeaux were two goals clear! Youssouf Sabaly broke free down the right flank and fired in an inch-perfect cross for Lukas Lerager to head past Gurtner. Two-nil at half time, as Gus Poyet's attacking style proved to be too much for even the sizeable Amiens defence to handle.
A dramatic second half!
Amiens came back fighting, but they ran up against a solid and disciplined Bordeaux back four. That's not to say they didn't have their moments: Kakuta picked up a long ball and charged into the box, forcing Benoît Costil off his line and then dribbling round him. Fortunately, Maxime Poundjé tracked back to block the shot (56’). Gus Poyet soon decided to make a double substitution, bringing on François Kamano and Younousse Sankharé (69’) for Gaëtan Laborde and Otavio. Bordeaux were under pressure now, and Amiens had more decent chances on goal denied first by Benoît Costil (71') and then by the crossbar (75'). Yet again, the visitors were made to pay for not capitalising on their chances. From another corner, Pablo hooked the ball back and François Kamano finished the job at the back post. 3-0 ! (77’).
A late come-back!
The game seemed to be settled, and Bordeaux already had the final whistle in sight. But Amiens were not prepared to give up just yet, and a few minutes after the Girondins' third goal Mendoza scored at the other end to reduce the gap. 3-1, and a sudden increase in the tension level! This late goal galvanised Christophe Pelissier's men, and in the 88th minute, Kakuta produced a superb header to make it 3-2. The Girondins' lead was slipping away...
But Bordeaux dug in their heels and saw out the rest of the match. In the final action of the game, François Kamano made a superb solo run and found himself in a one-on-one with Gurtner. The Guinean's shot rebounded off the post. Final whistle! Bordeaux secured their fourth consecutive L1 victory this evening, but they had to fight for it until the very last minute.
