LES GIRONDINS DE BORDEAUX, LES CHAMPIONS DE FRANCE

By: Jennifer | May 30th, 2009

GIRONDINS DE BORDEAUX ARE THE CHAMPIONS OF FRANCE!!!!!

Okay, I might have gone a little comment crazy in my other post, but heck, does it matter? The first title in 10 long Lyon filled years is finally here! Behold immense partying and celebrating and official champagne spraying. (I’ll be celebrating with some iced coffee, thank you very much). There’s also Gourcuff crying and various other forms of naked, which I will pass to you when I find them. Now, on to the game (which I doubt many readers will bother to read, save one or two).

I’m so glad I got to watch this game. It was less exciting than the epic goal scoring of OM versus Rennes, but I really got to see the improvement of the whole squad. The defense was just IMPECCABLE. I cannot be more honest. Caen had so many opportunities and close shots at goal that if not for the amazing defense (that is to say Chalmé, Jurietti, but especially Diawara, Diarra and Trémoulinas) we’d be not only 5 goals down but also down in the gutters as OM celebrate their title win. Savidan would have scored a million goals if not for the tirelessness with which Diawara worked at.

I remember at the beginning of the season, I was concerned that the biggest problem with the squad would be the defensive aspects of the team, but we’ve obviously gotten over that (and added a permanent member in the defense, no doubt, with Trémoulinas). We all know that Bordeaux has a great deal of firepower and definitely play some of the most offensive football in France, but it’s always nice to know that we’ve got players that have got our backs covered. (Subtract from this equation the waste of money and time that was Diego Placente.)

I admit that midfield was less than stellar today, but it rather reflects the poor condition that has befallen it in recent times. While we have secured the services of Gourcuff (who has been consistent almost all season) and added to it the talents of Grégory Sertic (hopefully a regular next season), many players such as Fernando and Wendel, both of whom used to be the backbone of the team, seem to have…lost it. Both of them have seen a drop in mental form and a seeming lack of creativity when it comes to the game. I think that especially Fernando have never really taken to the country’s form of play, and I sincerely wish for him a spot in La Liga.

Strikers strikers strikers…Chamakh has really matured this season (though he still has that bit of indecision in him occasionally, today for example). He really is ready to leave us and I’m glad that we’re sending him off with a title. I only hope for him that he doesn’t follow the lead of Nasri and sign onto Arsenal because…well has anyone heard from Nasri recently??

The offense today was really everywhere, but we did capitalize on opportunities set up by both Gourcuff and Trémoulinas (his sporadic runs are another thing I like about him). This leads to our hero today: Gouffran. If you’ve read any of my other reports, you’ve seen me complaining about Gouffran. I alwaaaaaaaaaaays complain about his lack of consistency and decisiveness as well as confidence. He never seemed to try hard enough, and I could never notice him in games. Buying him (and playing him regularly) was one thing Blanc did that consistently baffled me. Now I see why. He was so solid in the past few games, always at the right positions and having the confidence when he shoots. He probably would have scored 2 more today had he been luckier, and I’m really glad we invested in him. I’ll skimp on Cavé. He’s always amazing to me. (And Obertan returning next season. I’m super excited to see his improvement.)

If you’ve bothered to read this far, I’ll have you know that the biggest problem I’m concerned with is goalkeeping. Ramé has been getting slower, and Valverde is NOT the successor. Olimpa, maybe, but he’s in line after Valverde. We need to shop for a replacement this summer for sure, and hopefully that would be Yohann Pelé.

After one season with Bordeaux, I really believe that this team has so much potential and can achieve so much more. I don’t think I would be wrong to accredit this to Blanc. Right now, I think he’s one of the best coaches any team can ever wish to have (better than Mourinho, I’m afraid). He has such insight to the game, and he’s one of those people who knows what they’re doing in it’s entirety. He is the person who pretty much single handedly brought the title to Bordeaux, and I’d sooner give Gourcuff away than to let him leave.

Anyway, I hope none of you bothered to read my rant. I’ll be adding photos and videos of the celebrations as soon as I can find them!