Big performance, late disappointment! [1-1]

No doubt about it, tonight's match was a classic Bordeaux-Marseille! This was the 55th time the two teams have met in Bordeaux, an occasion which also happened to fall on the Ultramarines' 30th birthday. The Girondins certainly brought the fireworks! Nicolas De Préville scored his first goal for the club in the 3rd minute! The Matmut Atlantique exploded with joy, from the pitch to the bench to the stands. A crisp, decisive strike from NDP (3’, 1-0).   Marseille then began to dominate possession, but the Girondins remained focused and well-organised. Malcom's attacking efforts kept the Bordeaux faithful singing, as did Jérémy Toulalan's masterful tackle on Payet (14’). Marseille had more of the ball. So what? Bordeaux were winning! Younousse Sankharé came close to making it two (19’). The suspense persisted as Marseille attempted to level the scores, stringing together some very dangerous attacking movements. Mitrogliou came close with a header (38’), and Rami blasted a shot skywards under pressure from Captain Toulalan (43’).   Early in the second half, Benoît Costil punched away a decent shot from Thauvin (47’). Bordeaux were still losing the battle for possession, but their determination to protect their lead was undimmed. Thauvin soon popped up again, but this time missed the target. At the other end, Younousse Sankharé's powerful shot was too close to Mandanda, who boxed it away (65’). Referee Benoît Millot issued a flurry of yellow cards to both sides, as the battle raged on. Lukas Lerager's solid performance in midfield illustrated this intensity and total commitment.   Jocelyn Gourvennec made three substitutions towards the end, bringing on Alexandre Mendy for Nicolas De Préville (75’) and Olivier Verdon for Igor Lewczuk (80’), then Cafu for François Kamano in the last few minutes (88’). The stadium was convinced it was game over when Mitrogliou missed the target from 6 metres (90+1). Injury time was finally coming to an end when… Sanson equalised (90+4). A cold shower for the Girondins and the packed stadium. A very unfair ending to an excellent match, and what was almost a heroic performance from Bordeaux! But the boys can still be proud of the way they played tonight.