CThat was the pre-match question. What would be the defense aligned by Bruno Irles at Granville, in the absence of captain Cédric Yambéré and his substitute Driss Trichard, both suspended? With the return of Adrien Louveau and the choice to include Nassim Ranem and Nama Fofana in the group to compensate for these two absences, the Bordeaux coach could opt for several options. The Rochefortais finally chose Adrien Louveau-Jean Grillot for a hinge, in addition to Nathanaël Baï on the left and Youssouf Assogba on the right.
If this defense had time to get into its game before being called upon, the two professional central defenders were present in the duels as well as in anticipation. While the two men have been able to play in positions that were not originally theirs since the start of the season (defensive midfielder for Louveau, right back for Grillot), they have long been one of the rare Bordeaux satisfactions of this match.
Complementary with Louveau
“I felt good alongside Adrien (Louveau). We had already played together against Poiré-sur-Vie so we had some benchmarks. I had also already played with Youssouf (Assogba) on my right, that helped,” noted Jean Grillot after the match. Far from being attractive offensively, Bordeaux, as often, had the merit of remaining solid at the back. To which Jean Grillot responded: “We don’t have a game where we bring the ball out from behind, we prefer to rely on Andy Carroll. The game is on him, that’s for sure. Compared to the other teams, Granville played higher which did not make our task easier.”
“It feels good to find victory again. We were left with two defeats, this little bit of less good was mainly mental”
Adrien Louveau, captain for one evening, put in a very solid performance. He brought the leadership inherent to his position. At his side, the pure Bordeaux product from the late training center cut off some hot actions like the cross from Mohamed Guilavogui (minute). A completely correct performance until the 89th minute and this Granville cross towards Vincent Créhin.
“I touch him a little after he shoots so there is a foul, it sounds. You have to be honest. It’s frustrating to create a penalty and concede a goal at that moment,” admitted the 19-year-old. A penalty that many considered unjustified but therefore very real. Fortunately for him and the Girondins, Nassim Ranem would save Bordeaux’s three points on the last corner with a lofted header after a delivery… from Adrien Louveau.
“Even if it’s hard, it feels good to find victory again. We were left with two defeats in a row and I think that this little dip was mainly mental. What must be remembered are the three points taken. There are sometimes complicated matches where you have to grit your teeth. Even if we don’t produce a very good game. The most important thing is the result”, finally insisted the one who remains the last survivor to have known the professional world under the jersey marked with the scapular.
