EWhat if, ultimately, the National 2 was a bit like the Tour de France? On the Grande Boucle, certain stages do not win you the general classification but can cost you a good part of your ambitions in the event of failure. The Girondins are in a similar situation as they approach the next two weeks, which will see them host the second Saint-Pryvé Saint-Hilaire, this Saturday, and travel to the first Saint-Malo, on November 23.
These two meetings, separated from a late match at Poiré-sur-Vie on Wednesday and the seventh round of the Coupe de France at Bressuire next weekend, are crucial for the rest of the season. If the Bordelais concede one or even two defeats, the gap in the standings would be such that we would then have to maintain an infernal pace while hoping for missteps ahead to continue dreaming. Welcome to the fourth division, where only the first in the group is promoted.
Irles' muscular speech
“The climb cannot be definitively lost, but it may well fade away,” concedes trainer Bruno Irles. This is a defining month. This is why I cannot be satisfied with this draw in Blois (1-1 last Saturday). We can't settle for draws if we want to go to the top of the table. We must be demanding of ourselves.” Especially with already 13 units behind Saint-Malo.
The technician did not appreciate that “two or three” of his players did not give 100% in Loir-et-Cher and had planned to “shake them up” this week. A promise kept with a strong speech to the entire collective on Tuesday morning, then individual interviews, supported by video montages. The reserve, the red lantern of N3, also took its place. Irles did not like what he saw against Onet-le-Château (1-2) and believes that the players do not “pose a problem” for him to form his group.
“The players did more in half an hour on Wednesday than in 90 minutes in Blois”
The increase in straps seems to have borne fruit at Haillan. “I was very satisfied with the two important sessions on Tuesday and Wednesday, where the players met my expectations. Those I targeted did more in half an hour on Wednesday than in 90 minutes in Blois. Afterwards, it’s always the same, it has to be confirmed in a match…”
Carroll incertain
Facing the Girondins will therefore be a formidable Saint-Pryvé Saint-Hilaire team that is undefeated away from home, from where it brought back a draw and three victories, certainly against bottom-of-the-table teams. “He is the most dangerous opponent I have analyzed this season,” says Irles. They have very good control of the diamond, punish you quickly and have athletic profiles that run a lot and create impact.”
To respond to this challenge, Bordeaux will be able to count on its public but not on one of its centerpieces this season, midfielder Adrien Louveau, suspended. Thomas Trazié should take over alongside Émeric Depussay. Right side Youssouf Assogba is still injured. Above all, a major uncertainty weighed this week: Andy Carroll, injured in the iliac crest in Blois, was preserved on Thursday. His participation in the match is not guaranteed.
The absence of the Englishman, six goals in four games, would be a real blow for a team whose only other scorer this season is… its goalkeeper, Lassana Diabaté. It would force the people of Bordeaux not to rely solely on him. Evil for good? “I would like that in the game, we see more efficiency in the phases without Andy, with the full-backs, the wingers, or even the central defenders on set pieces,” underlines Irles. We see it in bits and pieces in the Coupe de France, it’s up to us to do it in the Championship.”
Still without Djibril Diaw
On September 18, the Girondins announced the signing of Djibril Diaw. A month and twenty days later, he still cannot play competitively. Bordeaux is still waiting for the CIT (international transfer certificate) from the Ukrainian federation, since the Senegalese central defender was under contract with Rukh Lviv. Fifa, contacted by the Girondins, recently sent a formal notice to the Ukrainian club, which remained without response.
