Blanc To Takeover French Coach
By: Jennifer |
6 Comments
Uh…really?
You have to be kidding me.
Category: Bordeaux Team News
Another Boring Big Match, Another 1-1 Draw, And Then A Win
By: Jennifer | 5 Comments
Souley vs. Marouane.
Another stupid title. (Y)
I think I really am getting good at coming up with the worst titles 
What can I say, I’m quite talented.
That aside, this game, touted as the turn around game for OM and the game that will set the tone for the rest of the season for Bordeaux wasn’t quite as awesome as one would want to believe. In fact, it was quite boring until about 20 mins before the whistle was blown.
Chamakh first scored with what appeared to be a foul, knocking the ball out of Mandanda’s hands into the net. (Sadly, the goal was counted as an own goal by Mandanda).
Mostly the play was meh until ben Arfa and Valbuena came on, but that created more action in our half than (thanks to the straight sending off of Marc Planus, for a tackle that was a little overboard). Sané came on for Plasil to replace Planus and did a decent job, but I think he wasn’t quite settled in his role because there was much more confusion and misleadings about who covers who and where the ball is. Trémoulinas was decent but not his usual superb self, but managed to keep Bordeaux from embarrassment at home but keeping a ball out of the net off a corner.
Ramé (still spectacular. I can’t deny that Bordeaux has the best 2nd keeper in the whole league) had to come on for Carrasso who had hurt his right calf during the game (though he didn’t see much action most of the time he was on).
Good thing is, we keep Montpellier and Lille (a shocking lost to Sochaux) away from our heels by winning at Grenoble, beating them 3-1 thanks to goals from Gouffran, Chamakh and SuperSub Cavenaghi (HALLELUJAH!) I didn’t watch this game so I can’t say much, but it appears that Carrasso’s injury may be worse than what I expected seeing as Ramé started this game.
Father Son Reunion
By: Jennifer | 19 Comments
I’m really lame with titles. whatever.
The whole game was billed as daddy vs son. I’m really sorry about not posting very often. But, good thing is, my last exam is tomorrow so I’ll definitely blog about next week’s game! I think this highlights reel summarizes the game pretty well. I think Gourcuff might be back seeing as how involved he was in this game, and so is Cavenaghi! I’m so excited for him (maybe it will be appropriate to call him Cavégol again). Because of this goal, I think he will regain some of that confidence and do his magic all over again. I do wonder that Papa Gourcuff thought about his son scoring against him…it must be complicated huh. Eee, I somehow just glossed over David Bellion’s double. Huh.
Blanc has said that he was quite disappointed by the midpoint win over Montpellier, not by the results but by the fact that the team didn’t really play well and barely scrapped by with that result. It’s apparent that this attitude has changed
In other news, AC Milan has reported interest in Benoît Trémoulinas as they have allegedly sent scouts to watch him against Montpellier.
As well, Chamakh has made it clear that he will see through his contract with Les Girondins (and probably nothing more, tear.)
Category: Bordeaux Team NewsBordeaux 1 – 0 Lyon, Absolute Dominance
By: Jennifer | 12 Comments
Beautiful chemistry between the two.
I’m REALLY pissed, because I had written a lot for this entry and then my internet died in the middle of it publishing, and now I have to rewrite it. But here goes.
My heart is still pounding really fast from Chamakh’s late header that gave us the game. It was a clinical header, off a well played cross from Gourcuff, straight into the ground and bounced across the line. Lloris managed to get his hand on it but it was too late and had already crossed the line. Cris somehow had managed to not hit the ball, so the ball went straight into Chamakh’s path, and he confidently headed the ball right into ground, bouncing it back into the net. The assist from Gourcuff was beautiful and the chemistry between those two is just great.
Of course, the whole point of this post is more of a bragging “HA WE BEAT LYON! WE WIN” kind of post, but I will not neglect a review of the game, something that i usually do.
Despite the title, the game was anything but a constant dominance. Both teams were very evenly matched and most of the game was played in the midfield with quite even possession. The game started off with a bad omen, Ciani had to be replaced with the more inexperienced Sané due to a back injury sustained during warm ups. The back line was mostly the same though, and I am impressed by Sané’s composure and cool throughout this big game. The first half saw a few on target shots from Lisandro Lopez that all seemed to fly straight into Carrasso’s chest, as well as a few missed headers from Chamakh. Carrasso was extremely solid tonight, but there was no spectacular saves from him (towards the end, he was quite pissed with Chamakh who can’t seem to defend for the world, haha).
The second half saw both Lyon and Bordeaux starting to push more, and a more offensive line up from both coaches as Blanc put on Gouffran and Jussiê as subs. FINALLY, Chamakh’s magical head decided to be magical and put in that effective header towards the end of the game that gave us three points and secured our march towards a second title, putting up 4 points clear of 2nd place Montpellier (though they have a game in hand).
Everyone loves Yoann.
Some of us here at The Offside had a great time liveblogging. Check out our liveblog at the France!Offside (a big thank you to Thomas for hosting it).
In other news, since I haven’t updated in a while….
Chamakh says that he is close to making a decision. In the presser before the game, Chamakh discussed how he felt about his role in the formation as the lone striker (he felt that position fit him well), how Jaro (Plasil) was a good replacement for Gourcuff (he said that any attacker will play well with Gourcuff assisting behind). Most importantly, he made it clear that Bordeaux has left the decision to him, and that the door of the club is always open to him. However, it is a complex decision for him, and that when he makes his decision, even a quarterfinal finish in CL will not change his decision.
I’m pretty sure he is hell bent on leaving Bordeaux, and that does make me ever so depressed. Maybe we can win Champions League with him, get lots of investors, and he will stay with us forever. (A girl can dream right?)
On the other hand, Obertan has been doing so stellar at United that it hurts me to have let him go so early on in his career. As you can see in this video compilation, Gaby’s footwork and technique is so beautiful. Sir Alex no doubt made a good call signing him. It is even rumoured that Gaby may take over Nani’s spot entirely if he continues playing so well. YAY! I’m proud of him.
So, this post stole a chuck of my studying time especially with my losing all of it after I was done writing it. Grrrr! I’m sure I left a lot of things that I wanted to say but forgot to include in this version.
Jussiê the Magician
By: Jennifer | 2 Comments
To celebrate a little for Jussiê’s goal in the luxury win over Haifa the past week (and also having the most points in CL out of all the groups), here’s a little bit of magic from Jussiê, of the card variety. (I actually have important things to say later in the entry hahaha)
LOOK AT HIM
HE IS
AMAZING.
The internet is amazing. You’d never think one day you’d be able to watch one of your favourite players do magic tricks huh? (It is though, not good to have so many unwatched GirondinsTV webpisodes when you’re trying your best to study for finals).
All that aside, we’re coming off a small Champions League high to play a very important game against Lyon. Even though Aulas denies it, Lyon isn’t in a good position on the table right now and would like to change that. However, Bordeaux is at a really good place, and with Blanc denying any rumours about a possible move (especially to lead the national team), we can concentrate all our energy at moving ourselves past Lyon and above the rest of the table.
In my opinion the upcoming clash is important in the sense that it is a clash of two powerful clubs not only in France but also in Europe. Both teams have done more than just reasonably well in Champions League, having ousted big times like Liverpool and Juventus from the competition. There is no doubt in my mind that with some luck, both teams will go quite far in the competition this season. It’s also my opinion that Lyon has been in a sort of mini-crisis of late. Losing the title, losing one of their most key players, and losing some coherence in the group…all of that contribute to shock losses like the 3-0 lose to Lille. While a lot of people will remind me that Bordeaux too have bizarre losses so far in the season, many of those games have been played with 2nd string/youth players (not my excuse but just saying).
The most important thing established in our win against Juve was the fast that we do not need Yoann Gourcuff. For me, that has always been the biggest problem. Gourcuff was our star player. It felt like the team was being built around him and would be lost with him. There is no doubt that Gourcuff will leave Bordeaux in one or two years, once his reputation and experience builds. At that point what direction will we take? The game against Juventus showed me that Blanc has a beautiful formula with experienced players and a very talented younger players working very well together, and that formula is capable of tacking big and experience teams head on and still come out on top. And all of this without Gourcuff masterminding the whole game in midfield. And now with Gourcuff back from his injury, the squad should be even more efficient than before!
Hopefully we can deal with the loss of Chamakh just as well.
I will be watching the game against OL ~
Group:
Carrasso, Rame – Chalmé, Ciani, Jurietti, Planus, Trémoulinas, Sane – Diarra, Gourcuff, Fernando, Jussi, Plasil, Traore Wendel – Bellion, Cavenaghi, Chamakh Gouffran.
Laurent Blanc, The Next Sir Alex?
By: Jennifer | 16 Comments
There have been reports that Blanc is the United’s #1 in terms of replacing Sir Alex when he retires (which health permitting might be in a season or two). I can see why Blanc would be an excellent choice for United, and I know that if indeed Sir Ferguson does retire, Blanc will certainly be the man to fill in the position very nicely. (Or indeed, Jose Mourinho’s spot when he goes to Real Madrid*, or even Domenech’s position.)
I’m a big fan of Blanc as our manager and the logic he applies our game here. Most of the strategies and the moves he makes make sense. I understand why he starts a certain player or substitutes another, and I appreciate his good taste in selecting players (with the exception of Placente). I have no doubt that bringing Ciani to Bordeaux had a great deal to do with him.
A quick look at Blanc’s current record with Bordeaux on scapulaire.com shows that Bordeaux wins at home 69% of the time and 50% of the time away. The away percentage is quite high compared a lot of the previous coaches (this is why I love scapulaire.com AND all their stats.) Blanc has quite the record. Guiding Bordeaux to a second place finish in his first year of coaching, and then a L1 title, and now early qualifications to Champions League, and though with spotty performances here and there, a top table standing in L1.
Blanc to United is just a little bit farfetched, but it does make sense seeing as Fergie did try his best (and succeeded) to get Blanc as a player. He has also attempted to bring Blanc in as an assistant coach but that was not accepted. However, it is evident that Blanc and Fergie are on extremely good terms…seeing Blanc’s reaction to Gaby Obertan’s recent move to United, I don’t doubt that Blanc had something to do with it. (In a related note, Gaby has been toted to take over Nani’s beleaguered spot and is apparently doing quite well indeed. Oh how I tear up with pride.) There are now also rumours at an United bid (an alleged £13 million versus Arsenal’s meagre £7.5 million) on Marouane Chamakh. Wenger should be fearful of Ferguson indeed, but of course he doesn’t want Chamakh anymore…..
I guess the point that I’m trying to make here, while writing this at 4am when I should be designing, is that if Blanc can make so much out of our squad and our meagre resources, imagine what he can accomplish with the vast resources at United? For me, Blanc has always been a coach (alas not for a long time) that made the most out of his resources and what he has. He always finds the best that his money can get (which in Placente’s case was almost free). While some people complain that his lineups always seem to depend on a few players (Chamakh, Gourcuff, say what you will), there is no doubt that he always tries to field the best possible and the most logical combination.
Blanc to Inter is quite plausible as well. The job isn’t as prestigious as taking over the reins at Old Trafford, but makes sense for Moratti to hire an ex-player. To be honest, as an Inter fan (hahahahahahhahaha no jokes here), I will actually resume following Inter if Blanc went.
I’m really curious to see what your reactions are to Blanc’s possibly departure from the club after bringing us so much. I forsee a great exodus of talent, from Gaby (already), to Chamakh (soon), then Gourcuff (obviously) to even Blanc, then many many other players. If Blanc does leave, who will be suitable to take over?
*I’m not justifying goal.com’s credibility in anyway, just a rumour that has been propogating.
P.S.: Happy birthday Laurent Blanc I was really trying to get this post up today just for your birthday.
Category: Bordeaux Team NewsBy: Jennifer |
4 Comments
Oh they’re so cute!
I’ve decided that having Gourcuff, Carrasso and Diarra is enough to make me support France in the World Cup (especially considering Sweden’s exit…)
Category: Bordeaux Team NewsBy: Jennifer |
7 Comments
After the exciting win (again) at Bayern with both Gourcuff AND Chamakh scoring (<–love), I think it’s time we take a good break and relax with some pretty calendar photos. Martha (once of the Nice blog) managed to dig up some lovely photos of the new calendar which I am now bent on having. I mean paying 30 bucks for an awesome calendar would be nothing right?
Gouffran’s picture just kills me in this! In the beanie and the scarf, it’s just a puddle of “awwwww”. He should pose for like Abercombie or something. Also, Carrasso and Chamakh.
Entertaining Bayern
By: Jennifer | 23 Comments
This is another one of those posts where I can dig up ancient history, but since I was just a little kid then, I won’t.
I know I’ve been gone for a long time from this blog and that’s because of school commitments and midterms and all that stuff. But, midterms are done, and even though I’m still really busy, THIS POST NEEDS TO GO UP OMG.
So we can talk about the finals 13 years ago, or we can talk about this upcoming game. I really haven’t been keeping up with the league and I have no idea what is going on with both Bordeaux and Lyon falling to teams that have been in the relegation zone just last year. I did watch Lyon vs Liverpool yesterday though, and it really showed that it is POSSIBLE to beat teams of that calibre away while coming off of a defeat. Nevertheless, Bordeaux is really struggling with the attacking portion of the game.
Two Things
By: Jennifer | 16 Comments
Or maybe more things, I guess. Just a quickie update before Rennes.
-Gourcuff had to rush away from training after a thigh injury. He might not be available for Rennes as he was told not to exert for the next 48 hours. (The above image is from yesterday.)
-Wenger has allegedly said that he will not consider putting in another bid for Chamakh when the January window opens. He claims that he doesn’t need another striker since he has many capable players already (this is true). I think he just wants go wait till Chamakh is free and then make a grab for him.
-Also good news is that Bordeaux (the city) has been selected as the French candidate that will go for Euro 2016. If this does happen there will be a spanking new stadium for Bordeaux and all kinds of amazing things will happen.
Category: Chamakh
Home 
