The context
The two coaches had planned two (almost) different teams, three weeks before the first day of the championship. For starters, Paulo Sousa went for a 3–4–3 with Kwateng on the right being instructed to return to the defense to 4 in the defensive phase. Sekou Mara, who has just initialed his first professional contract, was used as a left piston, as a week earlier against Angers (1–1). Mehdi Zerkane was with Otavio in the middle. Hwang, de Préville and Maja were partners in attack. Loris Benito, in the group of 23, unlike Sabaly or Kamano, felt a little muscle discomfort before the game and was exempted.
The Greens were beaten eight days ago in the Coupe de France final by PSG (1–0), despite a good copy and the early expulsion of Loïc Perrin. The captain who had extended a month for the final has confirmed his retirement. He had two banners to his glory dropped by the Magic fans, ASSE’s main group of supporters, despite a friendly behind closed doors. “The adventure was so good despite the hardships in Sainté, you have been able to remain faithful, for modern football, what exemplary” and “an unfailing loyalty that modern football will never see again … Respect captain”. They also put down a banner for their friends, the Ultramarines, who just lost one of their own: “Rest in peace Micka.”
The young Adil Aouchiche, who arrived free from Paris, played his first match in Green.
The match (4-2)
The Stéphanois converted their first opportunity. Arnaud Nordin edged Vukasin Jovanovic before landing a cross strike (1–0, 2e). The Bordelais tried to retaliate. Nicolas de Préville (6th) fell in the box after a contact then Josh Maja tried his luck but Moulin deflected for a corner (7th).
Same conclusion for Hwang’s attempt (27th). Then Zerkane was hooked by Fofana in the box. De Préville took Moulin on the wrong foot and equalized (1–1, 29th).
During this half, we recover from the action bringing Nicolas De Préville’s equalizer from the penalty spot and the latter’s mine to score! #ASSEFCGB #PreparationFCGB pic.twitter.com/DuXZdw2fzm
– FC Girondins de Bordeaux (@girondins) August 1, 2020
The match was rather rhythmic. Costil’s firm hand was needed on Aouchiche’s ground strike (32nd), then Baysse tackled to push back for a corner. Koscielny then countered the shot of the neo-Stéphanois. Well launched in depth, De Préville found the post of Moulin (39th).
And Aouchiche did it again. On a pass from Nordin, he chained a directed control then a strike. But this time, Costil’s hand wasn’t firm enough (2–1, 45th).
If Claude Puel changed his eleven players, Paulo Sousa waited for the hour mark. Once again, the Greens made their first attempt. Romain Hamouma found Charles Abi’s head (3–1, 47th). Mehdi Zerkane, interesting to project himself, erased several greens but was countered before being able to serve Hwang (58th).
The Bordeaux coach changed eight players per hour but remained faithful to the tactical organization with three central defenders to build. Sharper, the Greens took advantage of the spaces. Hamouma dropped Mexer and found Abi who, the only penalty spot, left no chance for the Bordeaux captain (4–1, 72nd). While they seemed more physically sharp, the Stéphanois were also more realistic.
The Girondins had opportunities to close the gap. A free kick from Oudin was deflected for a corner by Dioussé, then Alexandre Mendy, after having resisted Mason, narrowly missed the target (80 ‘). The ball was still rejected twice by Sow and Khazri on a corner from Basic (85th). Finally, Jimmy Briand centered for Mendy who cut well at the far post (4–2, 90th).
Bordeaux will play again from this Tuesday, August 4 against Toulouse in Agen (7 p.m.).
The sheet
Saint-Etienne 4 -Bordeaux 2
Location Saint-Etienne (Stade Geoffroy-Guichard). Referee Willy Delajod. Half-time 2–1
Goals Nordin (2nd), Aouchiche (45th), Abi (47th, 72nd) for Saint-Etienne; De Préville (29th, on pen.), A. Mendy (90th) for Bordeaux
Warning Karamoko (76th) in Saint-Etienne.
Saint Etienne
1st period: Moulin – Debuchy ©, Fofana, Kolodzielczak, Moukoudi – Nordin, Camara, Aouchiche, Neyou – Bouanga, Krasso.
2nd period: Bajic – Mason, Karamoko, Sow, Dioussé – Moueffek (Gourna, 78th), Mvila – Khazri, Boudebouz, Hamouma © – Abi.
Bordeaux
1st period: Costil © – Koscielny, Baysse, Jovanovic – Kwateng, Otavio, Zerkane, Mara – Hwang, De Préville, Maja.
63rd minute: Costil – Mexer, Baysse, Jovanovic (Lauray, 74th) – Traoré, Pardo, basic, Poundjé – Oudin, Briand, A. Mendy.