Bordeaux bounce back in Strasbourg [0-2]

Both sides went at this game full tilt, with Strasbourg producing some dangerous play in the opening minutes. Sissoko was charging goalwards when Pablo cut him off somewhat abruptly, earning an early yellow card for his troubles. A few minutes later, Youssouf Sabaly broke free down the right and floated in a decent cross that found no takers in the box.  After a few more attacks from the hosts, the Girondins finallys ettled down, took control of the ball and set about breaking down the Strasbourg defence. In the 30th minute, Hatem Ben Arfa curled in a free kick from the left which took a deflection to find Basic at the back post. Basic headed home, but was ruled to be offside.

Thierry Laurey's side did not create many real chances on goal, but did their best to test the Bordeaux back line. A dangerous cross in the 33rd minute saw Pablo accidentally head the ball towards his own goal, but fortunately Benoît Costil pulled off an excellent save to save the Brazilian's blushes.  Back up the other end, Rémi Oudin teed up Hwang Ui-Jo for a goal which was also ruled offside. No matter though, since barely a minute later Pablo scored Bordeaux's first goal. Third time luck! Hatem Ben Arfa smashed in a free kick from 40 yards, and the Brazilian read the ball beautifully to tip it just beyond Kawashima. 1-0 Bordeaux.

The second half started where the first left off, and the Girondins soon had yet another goal disallowed for offside. Hwang Ui-Jo dummied and danced past his marker, before pulling the ball back for Mehdi Zerkane to finish it off... but the flag was up. Strasbourg had their share of chances at the other end, but the Girondins remained disciplined in defence. Mehdi Zerkane made a fantastic solo run, beating 3 defenders and laying off for Rémi Oudin, whose right-footed effort drew a magnificent save from Kawashima. A few minutes later, Hatem Ben Arfa dribbled his way through the home defence and fired in another shot which the keeper did well to stop.

The breakthrough finally came in the 66th minute. Bordeaux's Brazilian contigent struck again, and this time it was Otavio who did the honours. Rémi Oudin delivered a pin-point cross to the penalty spot, and Otavio's shot was too much for Kawashima. With the Girondins now comfortably in control of the game, Jimmy Briand was sent on to replace Hwang Ui-Jo. Rémi Oudin recorded his second assist in this 25th appearance for Bordeaux. There were more changes in the 73rd minute, with Mehdi Zerkane making way for Yacine Adli and Hatem Ben Arfa replaced by Nicolas De Préville.  Things slowed down considerably as the end approached, with the Girondins content to protect their lead. One more substitution was about as much action as the game saw in the final ten minutes, with Youssouf Sabaly heading off and Enock Kwateng coming on. A valuable victory at La Meinau, and the Girondins will be full of confidence ahead of their Christmas clash with Reims, this Wednesday at 19:00.