At Matmut Atlantic,
It was almost a month ago. March 7. That day after another unworthy performance at home against Troyes (0-2), a direct competitor for the maintenance, 20 minutes tried to explain why the Girondins de Bordeaux had a real head of relegation. Four weeks later, they still are. But the heads have changed a bit. They are not so low anymore. This Sunday, we even saw broad smiles again after the victory against Metz (3-1) in the match of fear. The fifth only in 31 days.
A success which above all allows the Marine et Blancs to finally relaunch themselves in the race for maintenance. In addition to leaving the last place to their opponent of the day, they come back to a point behind the barrage (Saint-Etienne) and two from the first non-relegation player. All this having literally hit rock bottom in the meantime during the reception of Montpellier on March 20. But here is this season of the Girondins will definitely not be like the others, from the beginning (the rescue of the club by Gérard Lopez) to the end of which we are still far from knowing the outcome. So, what are these signs that again make us believe in the maintenance of the Girondins?
More latest and a beginning of dynamics
The first sign ultimately goes beyond this victory. It’s about the dynamics of this Bordeaux team which has just gone three games without defeat (two in Ligue 1 and one in a friendly match) after a series of eight games without a win from January to March. “It is true that the game [amical, pendant la trêve internationale] d’Alavès did us good, explains Mbaye Niang, author of the second goal of the Girondins. Besides, it looked a bit like this afternoon with a team advancing, trying to win the game. “And above all who is able to finally raise his technical level at times. “I think we said things clearly. We knew the situation, we had to react and I think we are showing it but it does not ignite, ”insists defender Tom Lacoux.
For his coach, David Guion, who celebrated his first victory on the Bordeaux bench, it is above all “a great stage” which allows “symbolically to leave this last place and that is important”. His team, still the worst defense in Ligue 1, also conceded fewer goals (only one in the last two games) and Gaëtan Poussin was very little sought after against Lorraine. David Guion:
“We have seven games left with the same pressure, I really want the same investment in the technical or tactical aspects, the same intensity that we put in and above all the same character. I don’t want the slider to go down”
Are the small details finally on the safe side?
The second sign is more subtle. But players are often very careful about it: it’s the details. Just a month ago, we explained that they were practically all against the Girondins this season… Well, it seems that today the flies have changed their minds a bit. Between the three goals disallowed and the post a week ago in Lille, and this Sunday the goal of the Bordeaux equalizer full of success, we can see a sign there. As a reminder, on this one, Dilrosun is not looking for Mangas but Hwang before an FC Metz defender deflects the ball perfectly in the race of the Portuguese who sees his off-target shot brought back into the goal by another defender. But hey, success is provoked, as the saying goes.
In the same vein, we can also mention the lack of precision of Messin Delaine at the end of the match who had the equalizer at the end of the foot at 2-1. Not so long ago, the Girondins saw some of their opponents throwing big stumps 30m into their goal… Could the wheel be turning? Finally, one last detail illustrates the return of hope, it is the goal difference of this team. While the people of Bordeaux are more impermeable, some of their direct competitors are packing up in recent weeks (Saint-Etienne and Clermont this weekend). Result of the races, the last four are held in two goals with seven days remaining.
A calendar to take advantage of
The third sign of hope has to do with calendars. After a complicated passage (PSG, Montpellier and Lille), the Girondins will no longer come across many big players (Lyon, Nice and to a lesser extent Nantes) by the end of the championship. They will especially receive Saint-Etienne and Lorient, and move to two opponents who will surely not have much to play for (Angers and Brest). For comparison, ASSE (dam) beyond coming to Gironde in ten days will have to face an arduous triptych (reception of Monaco and trips to Rennes and Nice).
For its part, Lorient will also travel to the banks of the Garonne on the penultimate day and will go to Nice and Rennes before hosting OM. Clermont, after its capital trip to Metz this week, will have a perhaps more affordable schedule with the reception of Lyon on the final day. Despite this, “we must above all not get carried away” for Mbaye Niang. “We have a week with three games ahead of us, reminds David Guion. We still have a lot of work to do to get out of the situation we are in. »