Corps de texte
Just three days after losing in Caen (1-0), Jocelyn Gourvennec's team needed to bounce back against an AS Saint-Etienne side also keen to put some points on the board.
A perfect start!
The opening exchanges were evenly-matched, but Saint-Etienne looked vulnerable to counter-attacks. Malcom recovered the ball from a corner and went charging up the field, teeing up Valentin Vada for a volley which was on target but not powerful enough to trouble goalkeeper Stéphane Ruffier (2’).
Three minutes later, the visitors' defence were beaten in the air. Alexandre Mendy took the ball around Florentin Pogba and lodged the ball firmly in Ruffier's top corner (5’)! The Girondins took the lead with their second shot of the game.
Julien Sablé's team did not let their heads go down, with Jonathan Bamba and Loïs Diony both causing trouble for our defence. Bordeaux gave away too many silly fouls and almost got caught out from a free kick when Diony beat Benoît Costil but not the woodwork (10’).
The boy from Brazil strikes again!
Bordeaux were soon back in control, and both Youssouf Sabaly (17’) and Valentin Vada (19’) came close to extending the lead. Saint-Etienne still looked dangerous in possession, especially Janko on the right wing.
The turning point came just after the half-hour mark, when Malcom produced a sumptuous shot from 30 yards out. A sublime finish which left Ruffier with no chance! 2 - 0 to the Girondins (32’)!
Saint-Etienne looked stunned, but Benoît Costil still had to be on his toes to keep out a header from Vincent Pajot just before the break.
Right back at them!
After the break Bordeaux picked up where they had left off: in control. Alexandre Mendy picked up the ball inside the visitors' box and laid off for Malcom, who went past his man but looked to be pulled down in the process. The referee waved play on. Saint-Etienne came close twice in quick succession, with Dabo (48’) missing the target from 10 yards and Lois Diony (51’) hititng the bar with a spectacular bicycle kick.
Not long before the hour mark Valentin Vada played a clever pass for Youssouf Sabaly, who fired in a snap cross with his left foot. Arriving at the front post at the perfect moment, Alexandre Mendy's powerful header left the keeper no chance (58’). Saint-Etienne were out for the count, Bordeaux were 3-0 up! Mendy had scored twice in the same game, the first time this season.
One-way traffic
Saint-Etienne kept on searching for a consolation goal, but Benoît Costil was unbeatable at the back. He produced a fine diving save to deny Pajot (65’), and another one five minutes later. Everything was going our way tonight.
Jocelyn Gourvennec's new-look team had got the better of Julien Sablé's Saint-Etienne side, and the Girondins dominated the rest of the game. Two young players from the Academy - Ervin Taha and Zaydou Youssouf - made their first-team debuts as late subs.
The Girondins ran out 3-0 winners from the Matmut Atlantique, a welcome return to winning ways. The boys will be back in action on Friday evening at 20:45, in Dijon.
