VICTORY!

Ex-Bordeaux forward Renaud Cohade kicked off for Metz, but the Girondins soon took control of the ball and began looking for an opening in the visitors' defence. The first chance of the game came courtesy of a run by François Kamano down the wing, squaring the ball for Théo Pellenard whose cross was caught by the Metz keeper (7’). A foul on Valentin Vada handed Bordeaux the first free kick of the game, but Malcom's shot was blocked on the edge of the box (9’).  Bordeaux kept pushing forward, winning a corner in the 13th minute. Malcom played a one-two with Alexandre Mendy before firing in a cross which was cleared by the Metz defence. A few minutes later Valentin Vada tried his luck from a free kick. His shot was blocked but the rebound fell to François Kamano, who also fell foul of the Metz back line.  François Kamano and Théo Pellenard linked up again on the left flank, with the latter delivering a cross for Malcom which was intercepted by Assou-Ekotto.  Metz finally got their first sight of goal in the 31st minute, when Nolan Roux floated in a cross which Jérémy Toulalan cleared without any real trouble. Two minutes later Youssouf Sabaly saw his cross intercepted at the other end (33’).  Bordeaux continued to boss the midfield and dominate possession, but were struggling to make their chances count. Benoît Costil cleared Metz's first corner in the 33rd minute, but two minutes later a foul by Jérémy Toulalan handed the visitors a free kick in a decent position. Bisevac's header flew just inches wide of the post. Bordeaux were finally rewarded for their efforts just before half time, when Valentin Vada finally got the better of Didillon with a well-placed shot (44’). 1-0 TO BORDEAUX ! Barely a minute later, Théo Pellenard played another excellent ball for François Kamano. The Guinean unleashed a powerful, curling shot which narrowly missed the target. Half Time: Girondins de Bordeaux  1-0  Metz.  Bordeaux picked up where they left off after the break, and it took a foul by Lukas Lerager on Philips to relieve the pressure and allow Metz to clear their lines (47’). The first real chance of the second half came via Youssouf Sabaly, who fired in a cross which Alexandre Mendy apparently handled. Two minutes later Yann Jouffre missed a chance at the other end. The first yellow card of the game was shown to Youssouf Sabaly in the 55th minute for a foul on Renaud Cohade. The game was a little more evenly-balanced in the first fifteen minutes of the second half, but Lukas Lerager came close to doubling the lead with a shot which skimmed just over Didillon's crossbar (60’). Five minutes later Nguette slipped past Vukasin Jovanovic and hit a low-flying shot which Benoît Costil did well to save. Seconds later, Malcom charged past Assou-Ekotto and delivered a perfect cross for Younousse Sankharé, unmarked on the six-yard line. Goal  ! 2-0  BORDEAUX (64') Bordeaux kept up the pressure, with Alexandre Mendy floating in another cross which Didillon intercepted. The first substitution of the game saw new signing Cafú make his Bordeaux debut in the 66th minute, joining fellow Brazilian Malcolm in attack. Both saw shots blocked by Didillon in the space of a minute (74’). Three minutes later Théo Pellenard picked out Alexandre Mendy in the centre, whose acrobatic effort failed to get the better of Didillon. The ensuing corner came to nothing. Jocelyn Gourvennec decided to make a few changes, taking off Valentin Vada in the 79th minute to rapturous applause from the Bordeaux faithful. Jaroslav Plasil took his place. Five minutes later Alexandre Mendy left the field, prompting another standing ovation. Gaëtan Laborde came on to replace him, and within seconds last year's top scorer came very close to nabbing a third goal for Bordeaux (87’). The last chance of the day fell to Malcom, who sliced through the Metz defence with a mazy run but was unable to get a decent shot away (90+2’). Full time, VICTORY for the Girondins! Our first win of the 2017-2018 season, in front of 22,093 fans!