That’s it, Bordeaux has won and thanks Carroll

Emmanuel LANGELLIER, Media365: published on Sunday October 6, 2024 at 3:15 p.m.

In search of a first victory this season in National 2, Bordeaux finally won on Saturday.

The Girondins de Bordeaux are no longer in Ligue 1, nor in Ligue 2, nor even in National, but they still exist. The sad trajectory of the historic Bordeaux club came to an end this summer in National 2, the amateur championship where the Girondins had been struggling since the start of the season. Bruno Irles’ players could not do better than 3 draws and one defeat since the start of the 2024-25 financial year. But that’s it, the dreary series has come to an end. On Saturday, Bordeaux won the first victory of its season in N2.

Second double for Carroll

During the 7th day of the Championship, the scapular club – which requested the postponement of the first two days after being brutally relegated to the 4th level of French football – finally finished a match with arms raised and a smile. In group B of N2, Bordeaux, finally well qualified for the 5th round of the Coupe de France, won in Saumur (2-1) thanks to a double from its new star, English striker Andy Carroll. Aged 35, the former international striker for Liverpool and Newcastle (9 caps, 2 goals) headed in the 34th and 84th minutes, and scored a new double after that against Châteaubriant (2-2), on September 21 , his first double since January 2018.

Irles: “This team has heart and doesn’t give up”

Above the rest in the air, Carroll, who signed for two years, also displayed a remarkable state of mind. “When you have a leader in front who weighs in, who sets a good example, the three around him have an interest in rising to the occasion,” appreciated Bruno Irles, referring to Travis Mutyaba, Yanis Merdji and Amadou Diallo. Bordeaux wasn’t very good to watch but won and that’s not bad. “This victory feels good, especially since it comes with the same bases as in the first matches. This team has heart and doesn’t give up. It’s not perfect, we know that, but we’re starting to have more weight offensively. We are moving forward, in a season where each trip will be like a cup match,” said Irles, who made only one change at Saumur on Saturday. With 2 games in hand, the Girondins are 14th in the standings (out of 16), 4 lengths from 5th position.