Three points before the break!

François Kamano kicked off for Bordeaux, and the Girondins got straight to work hassling the visitors. When Oswaldo Vizcarrondo pulled down Lukas Lerager 25 metres from goal, Cafú stepped up to take the free kick. His shot rebounded, but Troyes keeper Mamadou Samassa managed to hold onto the ball (4’). No more than a minute later, Lukas Lerager won the ball near the corner flag. His cross for Younousse Sankharé was ambitious but lacking in precision (5’). The first real corner of the match fell to Troyes, but Oswaldo Vizcarrondo's header failed to trouble Benoît Costil (6’). The Girondins kept pressing forward, and their aggressive tactics soon paid off. Younousse Sankharé charged down Mamadou Samassa, forcing an error from the keeper whose clearance landed at the feet of François Kamano. The Guinean pounced on the chance to slide the ball past the back-pedalling keeper and into the back of the net. 1-0  BORDEAUX !  Samassa's troubles weren't over yet, as Bordeaux continued to pile on the pressure. Malcom took two free kicks in quick succession: the first failed to make it past the Troyes defence (14’), but the second found the head of Lukas Lerager. Just wide (15’). The Girondins were clearly dominating this match so far. This intensity soon yielded another opportunity for Cafú, who dribbled his way into the box but couldn't get his shot past the last line of defence (27’). The intense heat and the intense pressure were too much for Troyes to stand. They finally managed to breathe a little with a corner in the 32nd minute, but the Bordeaux back four soon cleared their lines. The Girondins kept pushing, looking for an opening. Troyes were stretched to breaking point but refused to give in, even when Malcom latched onto a nice through ball from Younousse Sankharé to set up a one-on-one with Mamadou Samassa. The goalkeeper came out on top (38’). Just before half time, Jérémy Toulalan picked out Cafú with a long ball which just got away from the Brazilian. There was still time for one more free kick from Malcolm, but once again the visitors' defence held firm. 1-0 to the Girondins at the break. The Girondins came back from the break with all guns firing, and soon found that elusive second goal. Malcom tore through the Troyes defence yet again, delivering a fine cross for Younousse Sankharé. The Senegalese international left the keeper no chance (46’). 2-0 BORDEAUX ! But the game was far from over. After this second goal the Girondins momentarily let their guard down, and Troyes made them pay heavily. A fine cross from Samuel Grandsir made its way to Stéphane Darbion, whose header put the visitors back in the game (52’). 2-1 BORDEAUX ! Troyes were re-energised by this goal, and began testing the Bordeaux defence with a series of crosses. The Girondins attempted to restore their earlier dominance, but another probing run by Cafú was cut short by Mamadou Samassa in the 58th minute. Right on cue, Jocelyn Gourvennec substituted the Brazilian for Gaëtan Laborde. The game was much more evenly-balanced in the second half, but the Girondins still had the edge. In the 65th minute, Malcom floated in a corner which almost got the better of the Troyes defence. Three minutes later, Adama Niane's shot forced a save from Benoît Costil. When Tristan Dingome pulled down Lukas Lerager, Bordeaux found themselves with a free kick in a promising position. Malcom took it, but failed to get past the wall. Both teams had chances, with a cross from Charles Traoré (71’) swiftly followed by a shot from Gaëtan Laborde at the other end (72’). But the heat was beginning to get to both sides, and crosses and passes began to go astray. Referee Tony Chapron called for a drink break, and Jocelyn Gourvennec decided it was time to bring on Jaroslav Plasil for Lukas Lerager. Mr. Chapron promptly produced his yellow card for the first time, booking Tristan Dingome for a rough challenge on Plasil. In the 82ndminute, Théo Pellenard tore through the Troyes defence before firing in a cross Malcom. The Brazilian's shot beat the keeper but was cleared off the line by Charles Traoré. Two minutes later, François Kamano tried his luck but was unable to get the better of Mamadou Samassa (84’). Troyes had time for one more cross, but nobody was waiting for it in the middle. The Girondins wrapped up the game with one last corner, but it came to nothing. Another 3 points for the Girondins, in front of their home crowd! The players headed off to celebrate in front of the Virage Sud, as lively as ever.