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Off to a bad start
The Girondins travelled to Angers' Stade Raymond Kopa for their first appointment of the new Ligue 1 series. The sun was shining bright as Angers kicked off and Bordeaux soon set up camp in the opposition half. The first half-chance fell to Angers, with a speculative free kick from 40 metres which found nobody on the other end (3rd minute). The tempo was high in these early stages, and Angers came close to unsettling the Girondins with a rapid counter-attack (8").
With 10 minutes on the clock, Angers broke again down the left wing. Capelle fired in a cross towards the penalty spot, where Baptiste Guillaume laid off a clever little ball for Fulgini to slam past Benoît Costil. 1-0 to Angers SCO (11"). A poor start from Bordeaux.
The Girondins attempted to bounce back immediately, with Alexandre Mendy charging down the left and linking up with Théo Pellenard, who delivered an excellent cross for François Kamano. The Guinean's header was blocked, but only just (15"). Angers were also very active down the wings, and a cross from Gilles Sunu fell nicely for Guillaume in the middle. Fortunately for the Girondins, he scuffed his first touch and was unable to get a shot away (20").
Girondins strike back
After a brief drinks break, Théo Pellenard delivered another good ball for François Kamano, who fired in a low-flying cross to the front post. Younousse Sankharé pounced, leaving Angers keeper Letellier with no chance. Bordeaux were back in the game! (1-1, 27")
This goal seemed to re-energise the Girondins, who now began to dominate possession and stamp their authority on the midfield battle. Angers pinned their hopes on set pieces, but Benoît Costil was ready and waiting for them.
Manceau delivered another cross for Guillaume, who rose above Jérémy Toulalan. The ball ricocheted somewhat clumsily off his back, but Benoît Costil had it covered. Referee Sebastien Desiage blew up for half-time, after an intense opening period (45+2è). Angers SCO 1-1 Girondins de Bordeaux !
Bordeaux come back fighting
The Girondins came out swinging after the break, and Valentin Vada was soon linking up with François Kamano for another surging attack down the left flank. Kamano cut inside nicely, but his shot was pushed away by Santamaria (46"). Bordeaux were determined to get that second goal, and Angers were soon struggling to make it out of their own half.
Many of Bordeaux's attacks came via the left wing, with Theo Pellenard linking up well with Malcom. In one particularly fluid movement, the Brazilian connected with Pellenard's pass to deliver a first-touch cross for Alexandre Mendy. The new recruit promptly slammed the ball home for his first goal in a Bordeaux shirt. 2-1 to the Girondins after 52 minutes!
Bordeaux had responded well to that first Angers goal, but now it was time for the hosts to fight back. For the time being, the Girondins' defence held firm.
Bordeaux kept pushing forward whenever they could, but lacked a cutting edge in the final third. Nonetheless, the second goal seemed to have a demoralising effect on Stephane Moulin's side and they soon resorted to focusing on set pieces. Mangani curled a good free kick towards the back post looking for a team-mate, but for a second it looked as if the ball might just dip under the crossbar. It bounced off the woodwork, but Benoît Costil had it covered (65").
A tense finale
Bordeaux almost put the game beyond Angers' reach when the hosts made a basic defensive error and gifted the ball to Alexandre Mendy just outside the penalty area. He stalled and laid off for an unmarked François Kamano, but the Guinean failed to beat the keeper (71"). The sort of golden chance which doesn't come along often.
The game entered its final fifteen minutes with Angers pushing forward down the left wing. Toko Ekambi slipped past Théo Pellenard and picked out Thomas Mangani in the middle. Mangani's left-footed shot was powerful and precise, but Benoît Costil produced a superb save to preserve Bordeaux's lead.
With the end fast-approaching, the tension was palpable. Both sides conceded numerous fouls, as the rhythm of play became increasingly erratic. Angers were desperate for a goal, while Bordeaux were equally desperate not to concede. In the dying seconds of the 90 minutes, Karl Toko Ekambi charged through the centre of the Girondins' defence and fired off a shot which Benoît Costil saved but spilled. Baptiste Guillaume pounced on the loose ball and fired it into the empty goal. Angers 2-2 Bordeaux.
A few minutes of stoppage time followed, but both sides were out of ideas by now. The Girondins earned a single point from their first game of the season, and may well come to regret that late equaliser. Jocelyn Gourvennec's side will be hoping to get back to winning ways next Saturday, with their first home game of the season against FC Metz.
