A stylish victory [3-0]

As the last team to play this weekend, the Girondins started the day in third place and with one clear objective in mind: to beat Grenoble and reclaim second place. A real challenge for David Guion's side after Metz won again at Saint-Etienne (1-3). The Girondins survived an early scare when Grenoble hit the crossbar from a corner, by which time Rafal Straczek had already stopped a shot from Tourraine (11’). Things got frantic in the box, and the young stand-in keeper found himself under fire. Diarra's final shot looked like it was goal-bound, but Yoann Barbet's incredible reflexes saved Bordeaux when he managed to somehow get his knee to the ball on the goal-line, deflecting it onto the bar! (12’)

A miracle? Perhaps, but the visitors had their fair share of good luck too. After his powerful drive was blocked by Grenoble keeper Maubleu, Alexi Pitu hit the bar with a follow-up shot and Aliou Badji was within millimetres of finishing the job from the rebound (38’). These chances aside, both teams gave as good as they got in a match played out with impressive intensity. Zuriko Davitashvili (4’, 37’), Aliou Badji (13’, 18’) and Fransérgio (31’) all came close to scoring, but were denied by Maubleu. Grenoble had chances too, and Rafal Straczek proved his mettle with some memorable saves (19’, 21’). Bordeaux finally found an opening just before the break, when Yoann Barbet rose to meet a corner and headed the ball down for Josh Maja at the back post. All Josh had to do was tap the ball into the open goal (1-0, 42’).

Grenoble looked winded by this goal, and could not maintain the same level of intensity in the second half. Zuriko Davitashvili doubled the Girondins' lead, with Vital Nsimba providing the assist (2-0, 57’). The sizeable home crowd continued to spur on the Girondins, audibly enthused by the quality of the football on display. Aliou Badji embarked upon a daring solo run which culminated in a blocked shot. Happily for us, Josh Maja was on hand to pick up the rebound and slot it past Maubleu and into the back of the net (3-0, 63’).

Job done for David Guion's side, who were content to play out the rest of the game and defend their lead. There were plenty of substitutions and few chances on goal in the final fifteen minutes, with the exception of two half-chances for Grenoble (73’ and 86’) and another shot from Zuriko Davitashvili (74’). In a high-pressure encounter, the Girondins showed off their fighting spirit this evening. They ran hard, tackled harder and showed off their power and pragmatism in front of goal. The boys in blue didn't just win a vital game this evening, they won it in style.