Funny coincidence, the Bretons had been, two years ago at the same stage of the 32nd finals, the window of reunion with the elite of Bordeaux relegated to L2 (1-2). We must now add two divisions of difference. “An L1 player has a faster moving technique and is a cut above athletically”, deciphers Bruno Irles, who experienced the thrill of eliminating in 2020… Bordeaux with Pau, then in N1, before falling against the Paris SG (0-2) then against Monaco with QRM in 2022 (N1, 1-3). “The difference is in the regularity of the performances, the intensity”, estimates midfielder Adrien Louveau, an entry into L1 with Lens.
Rennes, exterior night
Like the Northerner, almost all Bordeaux residents have experienced this level. But failed to prevail. The trap would be “wanting to prove,” says Louveau. “We will have to be ourselves”, he continues, that is to say a team “with a soul”, “solid defensively, transition to hurt the opponent, the desire to put in a lot of crosses. » And with Andy Carroll, the only one with Cédric Yambéré to have experienced these heights over time, to block balls in front.
The Bordeaux “safe” (one goal conceded in the last six matches) will experience a much tougher test against Blas, Kalimuendo, Jota, Gronbaeck. We will also have to succeed in getting out of the clutches of the dry cleaning that the sanguine ex-Argentinian coach Jorge Sampaoli wants to put in place.
