Ligue 1 Preview: Girondins de Bordeaux – Olympique Lyonnais
Posted Saturday, April 17, 2010 by Goal.com
Midweek defeat has left les Girondins in a real tailspin, and les Gones will look to exploit that on Saturday evening...
Kick Off: Saturday, April 17, 2010. 21:00 CET
Stade Chaban-Delmas, Bordeaux
Fall From Grace
Girondins de Bordeaux approach Saturday’s Ligue 1 fixture against Olympique Lyonnais in a horrible state. Having lost in the final of the Coupe de la Ligue to Olympique de Marseille, Laurent Blanc’s men have lurched from disaster to disaster, with the low point arguably being their 2-1 defeat in Le Mans on Wednesday evening.
Les Girondins actually had the initiative in that game, grabbing an early lead through Henrique. For a period the champions looked stable, but the individual errors that have been the bane of the previously solid Aquitaine outfit quickly crept back in, with big mistakes from Cedric Carrasso and Benoit Tremoulinas gifting their relegation threatened hosts a couple of goals.
This has been an all-too familiar pattern for the Stade Chaban-Delmas outfit, who were eliminated from the Champions League by Saturday night’s opponents. Bordeaux’s performance in the second leg against OL, which they won 1-0, has actually been their best showing in quite some time, and it does prove that Blanc’s men haven’t totally lost it yet. Additionally, it provides then a foundation to have confidence for Saturday’s encounter.
On Wednesday, Blanc dismissed talk of les Girondins somehow roaring back into the title race. Indeed, on such form, the Europa League beacons more readily than the elite competition. And Bordeaux’s league position now reflects that, nine points back of leaders Marseille, albeit with a game in hand, occupying a disappointing fifth spot.
Delicately Balanced
While Bordeaux have been flailing haplessly, Lyon have been steadily improving. Claude Puel’s 2010 vintage may not be the all-conquering side of the middle part of the 2000s, but they have achieved unprecedented success in Europe, reaching the semi-finals of the Champions League, in which they will face Bayern Munich in midweek.
Ironically, there is no guarantee that OL will qualify for Europe’s elite competition next season. At one stage, les Gones were languishing as low as sixth in the table, but only one defeat after the winter break has seen them steadily rise into the upper echelons of the table.
Draws are costing Lyon on the domestic front at present. Last weekend’s 1-1 tie at home against Lille wasn’t a great surprise as they were coming off a midweek encounter in Bordeaux, but results such as the March ties against Boulogne-Sur-Mer and Saint-Etienne have certainly hampered the club’s title charge.
Presently stationed third, seven points behind leaders Marseille, les Gones have all but given up on the domestic crown, turning their focus instead to Europe – progressing into the Champions League final in the short term and simply reaching the competition next season in the longer term.
With Le Championnat so tightly packed, Lyon cannot readily spill points, and they are doubtless aware that a loss on Saturday could see them head into their midweek clash against FCB sixth in the French standings once again.
FORM GUIDE
Bordeaux
LOST 2-1 (a) Le Mans (Ligue 1, April 15)
LOST 3-1 (a) Paris Saint-Germain (Ligue 1, April 10)
LOST 2-1 (h) Nancy (Ligue 1, April 3)
LOST 3-1 (a) Olympique Lyonnais (Champions League, March 30)
LOST 3-1 (n) Olympique de Marseille (Coupe de la Ligue, March 27)
Lyon
DREW 1-1 (h) Lille (Ligue 1, April 11)
LOST 1-0 (a) Girondins de Bordeaux (Champions League, April 7)
WON 2-1 (a) Stade Rennais (Ligue 1, April 3)
WON 3-1 (h) Girondins de Bordeaux (Champions League, March 30)
WON 2-0 (h) Grenoble (Ligue 1, March 27)
TEAM NEWS
Bordeaux
Laurent Blanc lamented his side’s injury position after the midweek encounter in Le Mans, though he will have been encouraged with Thursday’s news, which saw Alou Diarra and Yoann Gourcuff both return to training. However, doubt surrounds the availability of Marc Planus, who went off injured in midweek, while Fernando is definitely missing as he has a fractured cheekbone. Gregory Sertic is missing too.
Ulrich Rame returns after suspension but will only be on the bench.
Don't be surprised to see a shake-up in the starting XI, though how that might manifest itself is unclear.
Probable Starting XI: Carrasso; Chalme, Ciani, Sane, Tremoulinas; A.Diarra, Plasil; Jussie, Gourcuff, Wendel; Chamakh
Lyon
Les Gones have a number of issues, most prominently in the centre of the defence. Jean-Alain Boumsong, Mathieu Bodmer and Dejan Lovren are all injured, leaving Cris as the only recognised centre-back. Jeremy Toulalan will partner him.
Aly Cissokho and Jean Makoun are both still carrying injury problems but may return, while the midweek encounter against Bayern Munich may compel OL to rotate their side slightly for this game.
Maxime Gonalons is banned after being dismissed last weekend.
Probable Starting XI: Lloris; Reveillere, Cris, Toulalan, Cissokho; Kallstrom, Makoun; Govou, Ederson, Delgado; Gomis
PLAYERS TO WATCH
Bordeaux
With the team seemingly falling apart at the seams, holding midfielder Alou Diarra will be the man charged with acting as a steadying force in the side. The 28-year-old endured one difficult season with les Gones but has gone on to become a vital part of les Girondins’ squad, ever reliable in the heart of the midfield. A huge performance is needed from the rangy midfield anchor.
Lyon
Jeremy Toulalan is proving to be the man for all season with les Gones this season. It seems that he will be deployed in the heart of the defence over the next couple of weeks after proving himself capable in the role over the autumn period. Bordeaux’s attackers continue to play to a decent level, so the internationally acclaimed midfielder will have a difficult task come Saturday.
PREDICTION
There was a time when Bordeaux were simply untouchable at home, but that is now well gone. Teams such as Nancy and Auxerre have recently won at the Stade Chaban-Delmas, and neither of those outfits is as good as a confident, in-form Lyon side. If they play as they have done over the course of the last couple of weeks, the only thing that can save les Girondins is OL’s forthcoming Champions League tie against Bayern Munich, which may provide a distraction.
Girondins de Bordeaux 1-2 Olympique Lyonnais
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