The status quo. While they have now played a third of the championship, the Girondins' draw at leader Saint-Malo (1-1) keeps them in a chasing position, without their destiny in hand. But it allows them to maintain pressure on a rival who knows that he will not be allowed to make any missteps either.
A bad result because…
Saint-Malo doesn't leave much behind. The gap between the two teams (8 points) remains skewed by the late match that the Girondins must play against Locminé on January 4. Potentially at 5 units, and with the advantage of receiving the Bretons during the return phase, Bruno Irles' men however remain dependent on at least one more misstep than them from the Malouins. And the latter do not commit many: since April 6, they have only left 11 units on the road in 17 matches, losing only once (for 4 draws).
Two points lost. Precedents show that, in a championship with 16 teams, first place (the only significant accession) is assured in almost all cases by passing the 60 point mark, or 2 per match. The Girondins remain behind on this progress table (1.7 per match) due to the units left on the road during the first matches disputed with a squad just formed and not yet complete. This fourth draw in 10 days slows down their momentum. They will have to average around 2.2 points per match during the 20 remaining days to be sure of being in N1.
A good result because…
Saint-Malo has its work cut out for it. Undefeated with now seven wins and four draws, Saint-Malo has beaten 6 of the last 7 but only one of the top 6 (Les Herbiers). Precisely, after Bordeaux, they will compete to complete the first legs against other teams at the top of the table who have not abandoned all ambition: Avranches, Blois and Saint-Pryvé. All while still being qualified in the Coupe de France, where they will go to another resident of group B of N2, Saint-Brieuc, in order to offer themselves a 32e of final.
The best team since October. With 11 points over the last five days (not taking into account the match of the 2e day contested at Poiré-sur-Vie), the Bordelais are with Saint-Malo the most successful team over the period, while having crossed four opponents from the top 6. They took 7 points from Saint-Pryvé (2nd) and in Blois (4th), 5 in Bourges (5th), 4 in Avranches (6th). By continuing to gather in this way, with victories at Matmut and points taken away from home, the light will not be far away.
Christian Potel arrive
The Girondins have their goalkeeper coach. Unless there is a change of heart this Monday, the former Libournais Christian Potel, 51, will succeed Franck Chaumin, whose contract was terminated on October 31 as part of the economic dismissals. Trained at Paris SG and a Central African international, he had his career as a goalkeeper in National 1 and Ligue 2 in Boulogne and with the Penguins, for whom he kept the goals when they joined in 2006. Creating a post academy for young people, he had supervised the goalkeepers of FC Libourne in 2019-2020 and had taken care of the goalkeepers of the Gabon selection since last summer.
