CAs Bruno Irles said after the meeting, it is sometimes difficult to find one’s way. “We think that our supporters are not there and then in fact, they are there,” smiled the Bordeaux coach. The Girondins celebrated their fifth success of the season a bit like at home at the Henri-Desgrange stadium in La Roche-sur-Yon (0-1): in the front stand with the North Gate ultras, who defied the prefectural ban in a group, then at the opposite end with members of Virage Sud, including Ultramarines, suddenly emerging from their confidentiality in the main stand.
The smiles summed up the relief of a victory which resembled those of the first two months of competition, “by a stretch” points out Bruno Irles. His team did not show the power of November, but is still there: after the success of leader Saint-Malo against Avranches (2-0) on Friday and the draw against Saint-Brieuc (0-0) last Saturday qualified by the “defeat” technician, she had no room for error to avoid a blow to the head before the break. She took up the gauntlet, not without suffering for a good hour after the opening of the score. “We have the pressure every weekend. It’s about being at the maximum of what you can do. We are hunters and we know that one point is not enough for us,” pointed out the coach, whose team moved up to third place, ten points behind the Malouins. “Now we will have to move up a notch from this base. »
Bruno Irles wanted his players to “learn the lesson” from a sluggish start last week. They therefore left with their feet to the floor, pressing where they had planned to press, behind the pistons of the Vendée 3-4-1-2 on the transitions. Yannis Merdji’s eighth goal in all competitions, the third in the league, after a nice split between Diallo and Trichard, came on the third big chance in 20 minutes.
« On a su s’adapter »
The rest was much more difficult, because the technical accuracy of the offensive players dropped a notch, because Cédric Yambéré’s teammates sometimes confused speed with haste, because they lost the duels in the middle and because they had to suffered the races in the depth of the Yonnais on very soft ground. But Lassana Diabaté was clean again; Jean Grillot took over from an ill Djibril Diaw the last two days, no one gave up and these Girondins, without the impression of strength from November, relied on their DNA: defensive solidarity (a goal conceded in six matches). “We were able to adapt and be more in control in the second half than in the first,” replies Bruno Irles. We can say that my attackers don’t score enough but Merdji, Bahassa, Diallo do a lot of work with Andy (Carroll). This state of mind allows us to be solid defensively. »
Djibril Diaw in the fight with Olivier Boissy.
Thierry DAVID / SOUTH WEST
In the end, if we consider that Merdji was very close to the double and that the Vendée goalkeeper Ahamada released a magnificent strike from Depussay in the final, the success is not undeserved. In any case, it allows the Bordelais to leave with a light heart for the “gala” against Rennes next Sunday in 32e of the Coupe de France final. “Good preparation for Locminé [4 janvier, NDLR] », recalled Bruno Irles. The fight continues.
The sheet
Lieu La Roche-sur-Yon (Henri-Desgrange stadium). Arbitrator Thimothé Bonnot. Spectators 2 500 environ. Half time 0-1.
Buts Merdji (21st) for the Girondins.
Warnings NDiaye (6th), German (90th) at La Roche Vendée, Louveau (27th) at Girondins.
La Roche Vendée Ahamada – Seance, German, Civet – Jacob (Khouma 86th), NDiaye, Beaulieu, Buaillon (cap) – Arabajo – Villette (Dabin 75th), Boissy
Girondins Diabaté – Bai, Yambéré (cap), Diaw (Grillot 46th), Trichard – Louveau, Trazié (Depussay 63rd) – Diallo (Mutyaba 81st), Merdji (N. Fofana 90th), Bahassa (Noc 81st) – Carroll.
