Girondins defeated in Lens [3-2]

The opening exchanges set the scene for what was to follow, with tackles flying from both sides. The Girondins formed a compact block in front of Gaëtan Poussin's goal. The first Bordeaux chance came in the sixth minute, with a shot from Rémi Oudin which helped to settle a few nerves. But that confidence was short-lived, as just a few minutes later Lens took the lead courtesy of Kalimuendo (1-0, 10'). Two minutes later Poussin was tested again, this time stopping the ball... but the respite was to be short-lived. When Gideon Mensah conceded a penalty, Kakuta promptly doubled the lead for the hosts (2-0, 22'). Within minutes, Seko Fofana smashed one into the top corner to make Lens' lead look unassailable (3-0, 26').

Thankfully, Alberth Elis pulled one back with some help from a lovely assist from Junior Onana (3-1, 33'). Alberth Elis almost found the net again just before the break, but his shot took the slightest of deflections. The Girondins made no changes at half-time, but looked like a completely different side nonetheless. Their attacking intentions soon paid off, when Hwang Ui-Jo scored Bordeaux's second to put them firmly back in the game (3-2, 53'). Ui-Jo fired past Farinez with a superbly-placed right-footed shot. Yacine Adli and Rémi Oudin combined on an excellent attacking movement which almost yielded an equaliser (65’), before Lens launched a lightning counter-attack which saw Ganago through one-on-one with Gaëtan Poussin. The keeper pulled off a massive save to keep Bordeaux's hopes alive (67’). 

The final minutes were breathless, with Gaëtan Poussin producing a series of saves including one particularly impressive block to deny Seko Fofana. The Girondins threw everything they had at Lens, and late sub Ricardo Mangas came agonisingly close to grabbing an equaliser - his shot was cleared off the line in extremis. After going 3-0 down early on, Bordeaux battled hard to salvage something from this game. The result did not go our way, but the courage and battling spirit the boys showed today were highly encouraging. Next up: AS Monaco, next Sunday at the Matmut Atlantique.