Bordeaux win the Atlantic Derby

For the Girondins' first game without Jocelyn Gourvennec, caretaker manager Eric Bedouet fielded a slightly changed starting 11: Costil (c) – Sabaly, Koundé, Pablo, Poundjé – Lerager, Méïte – Youssouf, Malcom, De Préville – Laborde. Meanwhile, Nantes boss Claudio Ranieri selected: Tatarusanu – Dubois, Pallois, Djidji, Diego Carlos – Girotto, Krhin – Thomasson, Rongier – Kacaniklic, Sala. Nantes dominated the early possession, but Bordeaux created the first chance on goal when De Préville's free kick was parried out for a corner by the Canaries' defensive wall (13’). Nantes made a few incursions into the Girondins' box but failed to truly threaten the goal, in spite of a moment of confusion between Jules Koundé and Benoît Costil (19’), followed by a five-player scramble (22’). Ultimately it was Bordeaux who were more clinical in front of goal. Arriving into the box at pace, Nicolas De Préville connected with Youssouf Sabaly's cross to fire in a powerful header which left Nantes keeper Tatarusanu stranded (0-1, 26').  This goal shocked the hosts into action, and they threw themselves forward in search of an equaliser. Pablo made an important headed clearance (31’), and De Préville (32’) and Koundé (33’) both put in excellent tackles. A few minutes later Nantes had their best chance yet from a free kick, but referee Mr. Hamel spotted a hand ball in the box (37’). Nantes kept piling on the pressure, and Djidji scraped a decent shot just over the bar (41’). Bordeaux were playing primarily on the counter, and in one such movement  Malcom played a long ball for Zaydou Youssouf inside the box. His shot was wide of the mark (43’). Nantes made a few changes at half time, with Lima and Ngom making way for Krhin and Diego Carlos. The hosts returned from the break determined to put themselves back in the game, and Rongier forced a decent save from Benoît Costil (49’). Yet again it was Malcom pulling the strings of Bordeaux's next counter-attack, setting up De Préville for a left-footed effort which was just the wrong side of the post (51’). Two minutes later Zaydou Youssouf and Malcom played a clever little one-two to put Youssouf through on goal -  this time his shot flew over the bar (53’). The match continued at this breathless pace, with Malcom linking up with Soualiho Meïté before unleashing a shot which forced a fingertip save from Tatarusanu (54’). Claudio Ranieri made his third and final change, replacing Kacaniklic with El Ghanassy. Nantes continued to press forward in search of that elusive equaliser, but Bordeaux held firm and waited for opportunities to counter-attack. Zaydou Youssouf wrong-footed the Nantes defence with a moment of sublime skill (74’), just before Pablo clinically snatched the ball away from Sala on the penalty spot (75’).  With away fans banned from the stadium, the Girondins had to count on the support of Jaroslav Plasil, Aurélien Tchouaméni and Paul Baysse up in the stands. Meanwhile the home crowd did their best to spur on the Canaries, and El Ghanassis duly delivered a powerful shot from 30 yards. Costil had it covered (81’). The hard work began to take its toll, and a momentary lapse of patience saw Lukas Lerager booked (80’). He was promptly subbed off for Otavio (83’). Eric Bedouet then decided to make two more late changes, taking off Malcom for Valentin Vada and bringing on François Kamano for Zaydou Youssouf, the young Academy graduate having put in an excellent performance this evening (86’).  There were a few tense moments before the end, not least when Benoît Costil spilled the ball inside the box and Pablo was forced to take emergency action to clear the danger (90’). A very close call for the Girondins! Nantes kept on pushing until the very end, with Benoît Costil saving one shot and Sala heading the last chance of the game over the bar. Final whistle, 1-0 to the Girondins ! Bordeaux were solid, focused and determined this evening, working hard throughout to secure a much-needed away victory.   A much-needed win! We're all happy but staying humble, there's still a long way to go. Well done boys, and thank you! #FCNFCGB pic.twitter.com/7CIlfyPO9E — FCGirondins Bordeaux (@girondins) 20 January 2018