« ASo, did you believe it? How long ? » For the post-match press conference, the first question was asked by… Bruno Irles himself, all smiles. The Bordeaux coach will obviously not be able to claim that he is happy to have lost against Rennes (1-4), but here is a file closed in an honorable manner, against a Breton team that we have known in better form , but still four divisions above.
Like their victims of the previous four rounds, the Girondins fell with weapons in hand, against an opponent who was much more equipped and who had not come to joke. Jorge Sampaoli had also fielded his best possible team. Given the number of kilometers he covered in his technical zone (outside too) and the multiple blows he gave to his players throughout the first period, the Argentinian did not take this either. match lightly.
The stadium vibrated
Bordeaux therefore gave its audience a glimpse of the possibility of an exploit for around ten minutes, between the opening score of Soufiane Bahassa (18th) and the equalizer of Adrien Truffert (29th). With almost 20,000 spectators, including a good quarter in the low South bend alone, the Matmut Atlantique joyfully vibrated and sang, bringing back some memories of a time when a Bordeaux – Rennes was a fairly anecdotal date in a season.
In this afternoon made sad by the death of “Pierrot” Labat, and which passed without incident between Ultramarines and North Gate, the Girondins had the good taste to live up to what was an event for a club that fell to the fourth division. “I'm happy to have given a high-level nod to the supporters. I hope there will be 12,000 against Locminé. We will need them,” said Irles.
Laurent Theillet / SO
“We made them doubt”
The course of action has not changed since the start of the season: the N2 championship is the priority. The next meeting is therefore set for January 4 for the first of the two late matches to be played. The weekend began with Saint-Malo's draw in Blois (1-1), bringing the leader's lead to eleven points. It was with the rest of the season in mind that Irles brought out Cédric Yambéré and Travis Mutyaba at half-time, then Bahassa.
However, he had seen a convincing first period – “I was pleasantly surprised by some” – where his team, even dominated in possession, managed some good quick exits and created at least two chances in addition to their goal . But Rennes, despite a rather catastrophic goalkeeper in the air, obviously ended up taking the upper hand physically. And made the difference on the hour mark.
To continue to hope, Bordeaux would have had to be extremely efficient and count on a great goalkeeper. For once, Lassana Diabaté was not having a good day. “Playing on a lousy pitch could have helped us,” added Irles. There, the conditions were excellent, it was easier for the Rennes to assert their superiority. But at least we made them doubt for a short period of time. Even if four goals is perhaps a bit much. »
Laurent Theillet / SO
Recruits soon?
Players and staff are entitled to a week of vacation, which will undoubtedly be more studious for Irles and the sporting director, John Williams. Adjustments are expected in the workforce by the end of January: “We want to bring competition to all positions, and there is not necessarily everywhere. But it's complicated, we take a lot of rakes, the players ask themselves questions. For some, it's the financial side that counts. Others prefer to be the 38th player in L1 rather than starting with us. In our situation, we can't go wrong. »
A vertical midfielder and an attacker will not be too much. If these Girondins, thus reinforced, display the same face in 2025 as against Rennes this Sunday, they will give themselves the right to dream.
