A severe set-back in Metz [3-0]

In an evenly-matched first half, the Girondins created the first chances on goal. Junior Mwanga had a shot blocked early on, and seconds later Fransergio put one just wide (4’). Minutes later, Yoann Barbet headed just over the crossbar from a corner (17’). Bordeaux gradually asserted their dominance, although the midfield battle was hard-fought. In the fortieth minute, however, the match took a dramatic and unexpected turn: Gaëtan Poussin collided with Mikautadze outside the box and was shown a straight red card (40’). Bordeaux were down to 10 men before the break, with Rafal Straczek called off the bench to make his Ligue 2 debut in the most inauspicious of circumstances.

Logically enough, the second half was hard going for the Girondins. Rafal Straczek pulled off an excellent double save early on (46’), but Metz continued to find space in midfield and pile on the attacking pressure. Bordeaux defended heroically, but the hosts eventually found an opening courtesy of Jallow (1-0, 48’). A few minutes later, Mikautadze pounced to double the deficit (2-0, 52’). Twenty minutes later, he doubled his own tally to put the game to bed (3-0, 72’). Thanks to a surprise sending-off and a brutal second half, the Girondins slipped to a 3-0 defeat at the hands of promotion rivals Metz.

The Girondins are still in second place in Ligue 2, and will be more determine than ever to bounce back with a victory in their next game, a home tie with Grenoble on Monday 24 April at 20:45.