A birthday is always special. And for Geoffroy-Guichard’s 90th birthday, pouring rain came to invite itself to the party, transforming the Cauldron into a 100-meter swimming pool. In these dantesque conditions, close to the grotesque, it was the Bordelais who won 2-1, Saturday, September 18, thanks to the double of his attacker Hwang Ui-jo.
The Stéphanois did not let it go but Claude Puel’s men were sorely lacking in realism, not converting their biggest opportunities like this shot by Romain Hamouma, all alone in front of the cages, who ended up in the stands (61st) or this completely missed face to face of Wahbi Khazri (68th). Despite the equalizer of the Tunisian (73rd), the Greens cracked eight minutes later while they exercised a clear domination in the game.
Bordeaux then held on to the Greens and left Saint-Etienne with a first victory this season in Ligue 1. Opposite, the Greens sank a little more and after six days, they are 19th in Ligue 1 without the slightest success.
Geoffroy Guichard was waiting for his gift, it never came. And that is to say if the Greens had the opportunities to win their first victory this season. Whether in the opponent’s area or in their area, Claude Puel’s men were sorely lacking in realism, unable to transform the opportunities that they nevertheless managed to create. Because in the game, the Greens were far from being ridiculous. The Stéphanois had possession (55%) and shots on target (5 to 2) but between their lack of precision in the last gesture or the weather conditions which greatly hampered their ability to be dangerous, everything was against the Greens on this feast day.
An action sums up this disappointment. In added time and while the Bordelais were back in front 10 minutes earlier, Girondin goalkeeper Benoît Costil pushed back a cross from Arnaud Nordin in front of him. Harold Moukoudi then emerged from the penalty spot to shoot from the right level with the ground but the ball was slowed down by a puddle, leaving time for Timothée Pembélé to clear the leather on his goal line. If the supporters set fire to the whole meeting despite the pouring rain, the sky fell on the heads of the Greens this evening.
Transferred to AC Milan this summer but immediately returned on loan to Nouvelle-Aquitaine, Yacine Adli delivered a very serious performance to lead his team to their first victory after a 2019/2020 season where he was disappointed. The former Paris Saint-Germain player feasted on Geoffroy Guichard’s lawn, displaying a technicality above the rest tonight.
66 ‘A Bordeaux player is in this photo, [0-1] #ASSEFCGB pic.twitter.com/Q5MZYrXlXZ
– FC Girondins de Bordeaux (@girondins) September 18, 2021
He was a decisive passer on the first goal, where full of dexterity, he served the Korean striker in a deserted cage after having drawn Etienne Green and Saïdou Sow towards him. Metronome of the Bordeaux attack, the 21-year-old Frenchman especially impressed at the start of the second half as the lawn gradually turned into a gigantic puddle. On several occasions, the Girondin created differences thanks to his dribbling and this despite the terrible playing conditions. If a transfer to Milan’s side can terrify any player, the young Bordeaux player appeared released on Saturday night.