^L’Equipe’s team of the year. Bordeaux’s only one two players off from Lyon!

Biggest Flop: Diego Placente 
Free transfer or not, I think this one is unanimous. It’s like buying another CFA player except much older and not as talented. 

Biggest Diappointment: Mathieu Jérémy
It’s too bad he did not sign. He would have been a great replacement for Jurietti. Bordeaux still shows interest in him since he is not extending with Toulouse, but my guess is that he is leaving for the Premiership.

AND

Yoan Gouffran
Surprise? No, not really. His performance was really disappointing. I prefer not to speak more.

Biggest Promise: Gabriel Obertan
Gaby has all the makings of a star (in the strict non-womanizing, non-Drama Queen, excellent footballer way). A loan away will allow him he the experience he needs to excel. FC Nantes really wants him now, too. Not surprising.

Biggest Invention: GirondinsTV/GirondinsMag
Uhhh, when can I get my hands on those?

Biggest Injury: Ulrich Ramé
We couldn’t fix him in time, it certainly cost a few, albeit important, games.

Also there’s Wendel..more of a mental thing, but he’s back and I’m glad for it.

Biggest Performer: Yoann Gourcuff
This one’s been expected by everyone. Raking in pageviews everywhere, who can beat that?! *Cue naked jokes….or banana hammock*
(I also like to acknowledge the consistent, solid services of Diarra and Diawara. Without you we’d be even shittier than we think we are.)

Biggest Break: Kevin Olimpa
It’s not like a really impressive start, but definitely a shocker that Valverde would break a few games after Ramé breaks. I think he’ll become a great keeper if he’s given the chance, unlike Valverde, who scares the living shit out of me.

Biggest Matchup: Lyon - Bordeaux
This has been the best match up this season. The games have been pretty exciting so far, and I hope the next one will be just a good (and hopefully we’ll win one that actually counts).

Biggest Influence: Fernando Cavenaghi
I’m a big fan of this guy. I’m a even bigger fan of his finishing and the charisma he has on the field. This is one player who can change the course of a game even as a sub.

Biggest Loss: Roma 2-0 Bordeaux
It’s been a long time coming huh…it was terrible to watch, even worse than that Chelsea game. Well there’s next year..and UEFA Cup

Biggest Moment: Beating Lyon
This blog started off with a bang! That was such an intense game. Moar moar moar!

Biggest Hope: SIGN YOANN “MONEY” GOURCUFF
Self explanatory.

So, what are your biggest(s) this season? Don’t say something dirty.
 

A big thanks to Zine and Martha who found them

I jump on this Perez Hilton bandwagon too. I didn’t know he was vacationing in St. Barth. And no I didn’t write that. I’m trying get more photos (I’ve looked everywhere and I’m signing up at the one place that has it…still waiting.)

Did I mention he’s vacationing on the same beach as Daniel Craig?

If someone is willing to be a complete champion and download this issue for me the good of all humanity, I’ll love you forever.

I have to wait another 8 months to get me credit cards so…

Download here.

Big thanks to Zine for the tip ♥
 

First, the result of our amazing luck? Galatasaray.

Galatasaray has got to be one of the harder teams in the UEFA Cup, and I’m not just over estimating them because they’e Turkish. I mean, they had the brains to sign Harry Kewell and Milan Baros, who both turned out to be fantastic players this season, away from the shitty form with their old teams. At least Kewell is injured right <–see, optimisim for the holidays. (No dirty jokes on his operation…but I do hope Baros goes on a partying rampage and hurts himself grinding in a club).

Anyway, on to more joyous stuff, Kevin Olimpa signed an extention with Bordeaux! Blanc’s extention talks will be in January and he insists not talking about his decision till then.

Chamakh was Father Christmas for a day! (Or a few hours, at least). He was at a local school, giving autographs for the boys. He even says

“I remember that at their age, I was a fan and supporter of Girondins de Bordeaux, the year of their title of champion of France 98-99. My favorite players were Micoud, Wiltord, Ramé and Benarbia. “

How precious is that? Now if I can only find pictures, it will be the most adorable thing ever. Wayyy more than Gourcuff.

Finally, I leave you with the Chalmé interview. This is actually way more interesting than the Gourcuff interviews, but I have this feeling not many are going to read it.

If you’re not going to read it, I’ll just say this: I love his comments about having a good beer from time to time, but especially on Govou’s recent blood alchohol scandal…and his dining out with Micoud after games. And he would choose Yoann Gourcuff if he was a girl (but probably he’s just jealous.) The love he has for his children is just sweet. Oh yeah, I forgot to mention, he wants to cure people too, especially sick children. Very admirable.

(From maxifoot)

OM or PSG?
It’s more OM for me.

Your favorite foreign team?
FC Barcelona.

The idol of your youth?
It was Eric Cantona.

The coach who marked you the most?
There are several that have counted for me but I would say Claude Puel.  It really marked me when I was in Lille, his state of mind in particular. With him, it worked really great. (rires) (laughter) But in the end, it’s still a good memory.

Your best memory on a football field?
I have several, but the victory against AC Milan 2 to 0 in the San Siro with Lille in Champions League is well placed. As my first match with Bordeaux, it is last season against Lens.

The most boring player that you cross on a football field?
Simão (Portuguese midfielder moving today to Atletico Madrid, editor’s note). At the time, we discovered the UEFA Champions League against Benfica with Lille, so the very high level, and its first action, it is my appeal against call, and made me 20 meters in sight! I can tell you that it marked me! Simão calmed me well! (laughs)

The player with whom you dream to play?
At the time, it was Zinedine Zidane.

What was for you the best player in Ligue 1 in the last five years?
I will say Juninho. Juninho is seven times France champion and every or almost everytime decisive with Lyon.

A French club will win a European Cup this season?
Finally … The Champions League, no, I do not think so. Whether Lyon, Marseille and Bordeaux, we showed that we were not quite level. But the UEFA Cup, it was clear ways to win.

What makes your dream stage?
It is rather a stage where I never played, will tell the Camp Nou (FC Barcelona) and Santiago Bernabeu (Real Madrid).

The goalkeeper of the French team, Lloris or Mandanda?
In France, we have the chance to have two great goalies, but I have a soft spot for Hugo Lloris anyway.

If you were Michel Platini, what would you change in football today?
I’d put up the video (replays), particularly in the area (penalty).

If you were Jean-Pierre Escalettes, you would have maintained Raymond Domenech at the head of the French team?
Very sincerely, I do not know anything … The most important thing is that the French team qualify for the 2010 World Cup, whatever the coach.

To succeed Raymond Domenech in the future, rather Laurent Blanc and Didier Deschamps?
I think both have the middle to become the coach. I have the chance of working beside Laurent Blanc, so I know that yes. And I think that Didier Deschamps is the same calibre.

Does Steve Savidan deserve a second selection?
Yes! He is a really annoying player to play against. In addition I admire him very much. He has impressive statistics. It marks a lot, because a lot of assists and more heavily defended and believes the group first.

If you were the president (Triaud), which rookie will you take this winter?
I leave it to the president and staff to decide.

Who be champions at the end of this season?
I hope Bordeaux! I am ambitious.

Who will finish top scorer in the league?
I think it will be contested between Fernando Cavenaghi and Karim Benzema.

What do you do in general after a match?
Most of the time I go to the restaurant. If Johan Micoud is in the stands, we go together, otherwise I go with other people.

What do you do when you are calm at home?
I look after my children.

If I search in your iPod, I will find what?
Tou’ll find a bit of everything except rap. This too is not my cup of tea.

Your favorite drink?
Ah, good beer from time to time, it’s fun! (rires)

In what animal would you like to reincarnate into?
In a lion, to reign.(laughs)

The biggest mistake you made, being kid?
Honestly, I do remember is that … I did not have to do much! (laughs) Well I had to make some, but not much larger.

If you had not been a footballer, what profession would you like to exercise?
A career in sport, or a trade that would help people. Well, we’ll say fireman, it combines the two.

If you were head of the state, what would your first decision?
Many things I take to heart, but my first decision, this would be my utmost, that each person has a home.

If you could have a super power, which would be?
To cure people, including sick children.

If you were Zinedine Zidane and William Gallas, will you forgive Jérôme Rothen?
No, certainly not! (sighs)

If you invite me home, you make me what to eat?
I cook very little. It will be pasta …

How was your first time?
Hmm … (laughs) It was not great. I am caught thereafter, but the first time, it was not terrible. Well, it is still a good memory because it was my first time precisely, but hey, this was not the best hug of my life will say … (laughs)

What do you look first in a woman?
The whole! (laughs) I look in general. It must all be attractive. But after the most important is what is within. Yes I know, it’s beautiful what I say … (laughs)

If you were a girl, who would you choose in the changeroom of Bordeaux?
Every time you go anywhere it is “Gourcuff this, Gourcuff that,” “we want to see Gourcuff”, “Gourcuff, where is he?”, “Ah Gourcuff, he is cute!” … So I am forced to say Gourcuff. (laughs)

Sidney Govou found with 2.6 grams of alcohol in the blood, what do you think?
(Mathieu explodes with laughter) Govou makes me laugh! I do not know what to say on this matter … (laughs) It’s already happened to many of us, we should not hide! Good attention, not me huh! (laughs) Well, this is something that can happen to anyone of us. It should not be making a dish because he is Govou and he is professional football player.

The last thing you do before you sleep?
A kiss to my children.

Your dream vacation, where you to spend?
I spent every year in Corsica, near Calvi. It is on a small island. C’est le paradis. It is paradise. I’ve went for the past few years. In addition it is not far, there is not too much plane to get there. This place is perfect.

Where will you be in ten years?
I will be in retirement, or close. I hope to always hold a function in a football club. But no coach in any case, that’s for sure. And then when I have time to enjoy as often as I can with my friends.

A quick update as I rush through the last 3 days of school and start preparing for finals. It’s a bit stupid that my finals are after the break, but alas, Canada. 

-Monaco are after Gabby. I know Obertan hasn’t looked as promising as of recent, but it will be a real real shame to let him go before he’s proven himself at Bordeaux. 

-Bordeaux’s interests in goal: Yohann Pele, Coman, Nicolas Douchez, Carlos Kameni and …. Mickaël Landreau (?!!). I’m sorry, but Landreau does not make the cut; we’d have to start fixing him in 5 years.

-Grenoble’s breakout midfielder Sofiane Feghouli (but tonnes of other clubs are also after him, so not likely).

-L’Equipe also says Blanc is interested in one Fabio Ferreira, a central defender playing with Corinthians. 

-And for once, thank you referees! Without you Bordeaux won’t have won that game by such a large margin (and for once, everyone agrees.)

-Bordeaux draws ASSE for Coupe de France in round of 32. 

- I have good scans of the rest of the Yoann Gourcuff interview and will be translating soon! I’ll hope to get a few up before Christmas :) 

I am angry. Very very very angry. So if you’re having a really great day, please don’t read this. If you’re a Roma fan, again. Or if you’re a Blanc fan, please don’t.

Okay, I understand that this group is a very difficult group to do well in, and for Bordeaux to be so close in points going into the last leg was a very pleasant surprise. But all that aside, an opportunity is an opportunity. You do not go into the match thinking that you had a great time in Champions League and that it was nice to be here. You go in there knowing that you have to win this because you want to get further than just the group stage.

Well today, Bordeaux did not play Roma thinking that. Blanc’s formation (4-3-2-1) was obviously too defensive for a game that is either win or die. I understand that you want to keep a clean sheet, but a draw will not get Bordeaux anything. I’m sure Blanc knew that Roma’s defense would be hard to break down. But what did he do? Add some defensive midfielders to the mix of course. Because Roma are SURELY not going to score with our (shitty) defense. (I’m not pertaining to Diarra, of course).

Second. Why did Blanc start Gouffran? If you read this blog you’ll know that I’ve had problems with this problem since time immemorial. I’ve always sort of ignored it, but this obviously impacted the game today. No, Gouffran is NOT of the caliber to take on Champions League games yet. He’s too unexperienced and frankly ineffective. Now if he was the ONLY FUCKING PLAYER left on the bench that can fill the role, sure. But a player like Fernando Cavenaghi should not be the SUBSTITUTE coming on for GOUFFRAN. Cavé may not be a winger, but with him on the pitch for longer than just 34 minutes would have greatly changed the outcome of the game. I mean, just how do you keep the team’s top scorer and (almost) top scorer of the league on the bench? I’l be shocked if he doesn’t pick Tottenham when the time comes.

Third. Jéremy f**king Ménez, I’m coming to get you. And Thumb-sucking Totti, I’m crashing the party. (That’s right. No Totti, NO PARTY.)

Fourth. The typical it’s all the referee’s fault. Some of the fouls were not fouls. Fernando didn’t touch a single hair on Riise’s body and you give them a freekick? Totti’s goal also came off a Ménez-foul-that-ref-didn’t-see moment. 

Finally. UEFA cup. HOW THE F**K AM I GOING TO CATCH THAT? I get Champions League with enough trouble already. Bordeaux had better get their game together, because with this kind of performance, they’re not going to be able to  keep their top players (Gourcuff, Cavenaghi, Diarra, Chamakh) and things will just go down hill. 

(That said, I actually thought that Ducasse, Jurietti, Chalmé and Diarra played very well. And Ramé is just getting old.. Wendel was quiet. Bordeaux just didn’t have a good game like they hoped.)

Expect Ramé, for he has returned. Jussiê as well!

The group
Ramé, Valverde – Chalmé, Diawara, Jurietti, Placente, Planus, Trémoulinas – Diarra, Ducasse, Fernando, Wendel, Gourcuff, Sertic, Traoré – Bellion, Cavenaghi, Chamakh, Gouffran, Jussiê, Obertan.

Blanc knows that to expect too:

“I know what to expect in Rome. We must not imagine that Bordeaux will throw in the attack to mark immediately. We have 90, 95 minutes to win this match. We’ll first we strive to defend well. To win the match, it must first defend well and if we succeed we may have opportunities to win this meeting.” Laurent Blanc
 

You can also expect the rest of that Gourcuff interview. The amazing people at ontd_football took pictures of the scans. Did I mention they also have the video of Gourcuff walking around in his undies?

(For those of you not here for Gourcuff:
-Potential target Yohan Cabaye is also under watch from Arsenal. He also interests many other clubs such as Bordeaux, OL, PSG, ASSE, etc.

-Wendel says that Bordeaux goal for this season is to qualify for Champions League again. He said that it might be too hefty a goal to dream about winning the league, and that he would rather not think about it. He also thinks that Bordeaux does not need Gourcuff to continue playing well, but admits that Gourcuff will be an asset who keeps the pace of the game, as well as the fittest in all the Girondins.)

Too tired to talk about it. I’m waaaaaay too worried about Valverde’s shaky performance to appreciate this. Ramé, please please please recover for Tuesday.

Goals and Highlights (minus Gourcuff’s streaking), as well as Chamakh’s interview after the jump.

There’s some Cavé/Gourcuff ass patting at the end. Tetu picked right!

]]> http://bordeaux.theoffside.com/bordeaux-team-news/bordeaux-manage-win-over-vafc.html/feed http://bordeaux.theoffside.com/bordeaux-team-news/gourcuff-interview.html http://bordeaux.theoffside.com/bordeaux-team-news/gourcuff-interview.html#comments Fri, 05 Dec 2008 04:19:57 +0000 Jennifer http://bordeaux.theoffside.com/bordeaux-team-news/gourcuff-interview.html

The last of a 5 part forum interview with Yoann Gourcuff. Just something interesting/funny before we entertain VAFC tomorrow. The rest of the interview can be found in the latest issue of Girondins mag. I can’t get my hands on it, but for those in France, you can get it at select newsstands(and then you can share )

Gold FM: Before starting the last part of the Forum, we would like to thank you for your participation. We feel that the truth for you is the ground. You inevitably might not want to deliver, does it feel right?
Gourcuff:I am someone quite mysterious. I like to keep things to myself and not reveal too much. (…)

Gold FM: Is this a form of protection?
Gourcuff: Absolutely, I am really loose on the field or when I’m in an intimate circle with my family and friends. When you’re a public figure, it is important to pay attention to your image, remaining discreet.

Gold FM: Outside of football, what do you do?
Gourcuff: Since I arrived in Bordeaux, I did not have the opportunity to do many things. Between training, meals, games and es mises au vert (a group seclusion thing they do before a match), it leaves me little time to enjoy it. The accumulation of fatigue and mental stress do not help. There are a lot of tension around the football so it is important to spare time to rest. I could still do a few outings to the beach and boat.

Nadège: How do you find the city of Bordeaux and Bordeaux?
Gourcuff: Very nice. I live downtown and it is very enjoyable. I feel really good. The architecture is very pretty. Then, contrary to what I was told, I find myself in the behavior of Bordeaux. People are respectful and educated for a footballer is very pleasant. They dare not too upset. They recognize us, we witness some attention. In other countries or cities, people are less intelligent or less educated.

Gm: You’ve known Milan. Can I compare Milan and Bordeaux?
Gourcuff: These are two cities, two cultures and two ways of living very different. Milan is the fashion capital. It crosses many beautiful people. There are, at once, the taste for detail and a very superficial side. While living in Milan can be rewarding, I find myself more in a city like Bordeaux.

Gold FM: Yoann Gourcuff, is fashion. Could it be an idea based career? Maybe you already have solicitations?
Gourcuff: Talking but for now I want to devote myself to my profession as a footballer. Over time this will envy me maybe. For now, this is not a priority. I have no desire to do it right now.

 Gold FM: What have you done with your childhood dreams?
Gourcuff: They were realized!

Gold FM: What fantastic powers would you have?
Gourcuff: To help all those who are poor, suffering and heal those in poor health!

GM: What would you do if you had not been a footballer?
Gourcuff: Tennis player.

Gold FM: What is your favorite swear word?
Gourcuff: I can never say bad words! (Laughter)

Gold FM: What would you do if you were President of the Republic?
Gourcuff: I will study taxes.

Gold FM: What is perfect happiness?
Gourcuff: Good health for family and friends. Take pleasure in his job. Being at peace with oneself.

Alexandre: You do that 22 years but, after your career, you stay in football?
Gourcuff: I have not asked the question. It is possible that I remain in sport. We will get back when it arises. I have known players who were tired by the middle of football after a certain time. 

Nadège: You happen to go on the forums of supporters to see what is written about you?
Gourcuff: Never! However, the fact my family and keeps me informed.

Gold FM: When we prepared this Forum and asked readers and listeners to participate. A question has returned. In your opinion, what is it?
Gourcuff: If I’m single?

Gold FM: That was not it but it has also been raised! So?
Gourcuff: I am!

Gold FM: But it was more of …
Gourcuff: … Is what I’m going to be Girondin next season?

Gold FM: What can you meet all its expectations?
Gourcuff: I can not even respond. Much more matches to play. I did not want me to disperse with these things. Indeed, a meeting will take place between AC Milan, Girondins and myself. It will take an agreement of three parties to reach a decision. It is not yet on the agenda because there are too many parameters still unknown to date.

Gold FM: The fact that Laurent Blanc may be the coach of the Club next season and the France national team qualifies for the World Cup will be arguments that account in your decision?
Gourcuff: Indeed. You should know that in this group, there are senior players. We have a very good group. It is important to know the team for next season.

 

 

As a side note, Gourcuff is the new “bomb of the month” for gay magazine Tetu! This was the magazine that had picked C.Ronaldo before, so…

 

 

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