One point from Metz [0-0]

In their first outing of 2021, the Girondins picked up a point in Metz. Bordeaux were disciplined and well-organised in a game dominated by the biting cold. This was our tenth clean sheet of the season. The Girondins took the field for their first official engagement of 2021 at 19:00. The average temperature in  Metz in January is far from tropical, and tonight was no different. The hosts attempted to build up some momentum early on, but Leya Iseka (2') fired wide. Straight back up the other end, Yacine Adli had a shot blocked (3'). The corner came to nothing. Yacine Adli (15') and Pablo (30') both had chances, but nothing much came of them. The Girondins were by now monopolising possession, without really troubling Metz. Back between the sticks for Bordeaux, Benoît Costil had precious little to do in the first half.

Things heated up somewhat towards the end, when Costil produced a fine save to deny Delaine (75'). A key moment in a tenth clean sheet of the season, a record in all of Europe's top leagues! There was a moment of late drama when second-half sub Medhi Zerkane was forced off with an injury (82'). Jean-Louis Gasset had made all of his changes, but the Girondins had no problem seeing out the rest of the game with ten men. In fact, the only moment of note in the final minutes was a chance created by Nicolas De Préville (90'). Bordeaux dominated this game throughout, and Benoît Costil was as imperious as ever in goal. A welcome point from a tough away match to start 2021.