Rodez in the Aveyron! This is where the Girondins de Bordeaux are expected this Saturday (7 p.m.) for their first trip of the season to Ligue 2. After their goalless draw against Valenciennes (0-0) a week ago, the Marine et Blancs will try to win their first victory of the season against RAF, Rodez Aveyron Football, at the Paul Lignon stadium. An enclosure in full works where less than 2000 spectators including only 84 Bordeaux supporters will be able to take place to attend this match of the second day of L2. A meeting which is of course to be followed live and in full on France Bleu Gironde from 6:30 p.m.
Fransergio back to support young people
One thing is certain, the 84 supporters of the Girondins will not discover new faces this Saturday. As against the VAFC, David Guion will still not be able to field a rookie since the DNCG decided this week to regulate the club’s payroll and transfer compensation. That is to say that it will be necessary to sell before recruiting. The club’s three unofficial recruits (Yoann Barbet, Vital Nsimba and Jonas Lössl), the first two of whom have been training since the resumption, therefore still cannot play. A decision that the Bordeaux coach regrets:
“This obviously penalizes the sportsman and disturbs my players, including Vital and Yoann, who have given their all from the start. The team is also penalized because they are two important and experienced players. Admittedly, teams have been penalized by withdrawals points but I think it’s still an important penalty that prevents us.”
The former Stade de Reims coach will once again have to rely on young people from the training center. He can also count on the return of Fransergio to midfield, back from suspension, and perhaps Albert Elis, injured since last week. “I can assure you, Rodez does not care if I have kids aged 18-19. They receive the Girondins de Bordeaux, a contender for the climb, period. However, today today, we are not at all in this pattern, we are a team that needs to strengthen, and which is with young people. We cannot be a contender for the climb”, admits David Guion.
A new chance for Maja
In attack, David Guion should align Josh Maja. At the start of the season, the young Englishman has a new opportunity to confirm his full potential even if many are beginning to doubt it over the seasons. Arrived three and a half years ago in Gironde, Josh Maja remains an enigma today. His time in Bordeaux at the moment seems like a rollercoaster with some ups and downs. For the past two seasons, he has notably been loaned to Fulham and Stoke City without really convincing to the point of finding the Château du Haillan each time. Internally, these many injuries also challenge despite a professionalism that is not called into question. Josh Maja:
“It was a bit complicated (to be on loan), but that’s football, that’s life, sometimes there are changes. I feel good. I’m happy to be here. My wish for the season is to start, to have a full season. I hope the coach will give me the confidence. I need one or two starting seasons to set up my game, and show the coaches and the direction of the club that I can play, and play well”.
Today, his record remains far too meager: 12 goals and 3 assists in 52 games. It remains to be seen whether he will still be there in September even if the account is on him. Indeed, there is only one contract left for Josh Maja and the club will surely not be able to afford to refuse an offer for the Englishman. On the other hand, if he stays this summer, he will be offered a contract extension with a sharp drop in salary, in particular not to let him go free in six months.