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Videoton go all out
With the sun shining down on an immaculate playing surface, the Girondins got proceedings underway at the Pancho Arena in Felcsút. The Hungarians wasted no time in pushing forward, attacking at every opportunity. Scepovic fired in a dangerous-looking cross in the 3rd minute, but Benoît Costil had it covered! Videoton were in control of the game in these opening exchanges, but after a hectic first ten minutes the Girondins began to get things under control.
A physical match
Bordeaux were up against tough opposition this evening, but they continued to move the ball around in midfield, looking for an opening. They probed the Videoton defence with a few long balls, but lacked accuracy. Jocelyn Gourvennec's side also tried to make the most of their set pieces. Malcom saw a decent shot stopped by the keeper (24’). Back at the other end, Henty fired in a powerful shot from 30 yards out which forced a diving save from Benoît Costil.
Bordeaux concede
With temperatures running high this evening, both sides took advantage of a brief drinks break after 30th minute. Hydrated and ready to go, Bordeaux were still struggling to get round their Hungarian hosts. Their best chance came in the 37th minute, when Malcom broke free down the left and fired in a cross for Gaëtan Laborde, whose header was wide of the mark. A precious opportunity wasted!
The Girondins were guilty of a few technical errors towards the end of the first half, and Videoton were merciless in seizing on them. Benoît Costil was tested once more by a powerful shot just before the break (45+2’). Unfortunately for Bordeaux, that was not to be the last chance of the half. With a little help from the woodwork, Stopira headed in a corner to put Videoton ahead in the final seconds of stoppage time (45+5’, 1-0 Videoton).
A bad start
Bordeaux suffered another major blow immediately after the break, when Youssouf Sabaly picked up a second yellow card and headed off for an early bath (46’). The Girondins now found themselves a man down and still chasing that vital goal. But they had no choice in the matter: the boys in blue and white needed to score at least once and concede no more if they were to qualify. Despite their numerical disadvantage Bordeaux kept pushing to impose their style of play, with François Kamano providing a good example in the 59th minute. After ducking and weaving his way past two defenders, the Guinean international teed up Alexandre Mendy in the middle. Unfortunately, the striker was offside (59’).
Videoton down to ten men
Kamano was back on the attack in the 65th minute, slicing through the Videoton defence and delivering a cross for nobody in particular. Bordeaux kept on pushing forward, at the risk of leaving themselves exposed at the back. Benoît Costil pulled off a superb save to deny Henty once again (67’). Two minutes later, Varga was sent off for appearing to stamp on Alexandre Mendy's head. Both sides were down to 10 men, with 20 minutes left to play.
Bordeaux with a last-ditch effort
The Girondins threw everything they had at Videoton in the last 15 minutes. They desperately needed a goal if they were to go any further in the Europa League. Jocelyn Gourvennec made one last attack-oriented substitution, bringing on Thomas Touré for Jaroslav Plasil (78’). This was our No. 10's first appearance since the injury he picked up on 16th October 2016, and he marked his return with a fine free kick which seemed bound for the back of the net but was punched away off the line (83’). The tension was palpable as the end approached. Bordeaux were camped out in the Videoton half, but were still unable to find the net. When the 4th official announced 7 minutes of extra time, it was almost too much to bear. The Girondins kept lofting long balls forward, but Videoton held on tight and brought their experience to bear on the final minutes.
The Girondins ended the night 1-0 losers in Hungary, letting their chances of Europa Ligue qualification slip through their fingers. Bordeaux's European dreams are over for another year.
