France

Ligue 1 Round-Up: Valenciennes End Bordeaux’s Unbeaten Home Run

Neither of Ligue 1's top two could claim maximum points, as les Girondins and OL surprisingly dropped more points.

Nov 21, 2009 2:57:26 PM

Ligue 1 : Bordeaux vs Valenciennes

Saturday, November 21 2009

Girondins de Bordeaux 0-1 Valenciennes
Grenoble Foot38 1-1 Olympique Lyonnais
Racing Club de Lens 2-1 Nancy
Stade Rennais 2-1 Le Mans
Auxerre L-L Monaco

Girondins de Bordeaux 0-1 Valenciennes

Laurent Blanc watched his team’s two-year unbeaten home record in Ligue 1 vanish as on-form Valenciennes pinched maximum points with a backs to the wall showing.

The home fans were given a nasty shock early in the game, when they fell behind following a quick break from the guests. A swift attacking movement was put into motion by Fahid Ben Khalfallah on the left, and he found Mamadou Samassa. The Malian struck home, despite Cedric Carrasso getting a touch on the ball.

Carlos Sanchez then had an effort saved by the home goalkeeper, and it would not be until after Marouane Chamakh limped off injured that Bordeaux would start to impose themselves. Twice Wendel set plays caused panic, the first saved by Guy Ndy Assembe and the second glanced wide by Fernando. Four minutes before the break, Yoan Gouffran had a shot deflected onto the crossbar.

After the interval the same player was denied by the visiting custodian, who was enjoying another terrific match for Philippe Montanier’s side. Wendel was to have something of a frustrating evening, being at the heart of all Bordeaux’s best play but unable to snatch a goal. Twice he would strike presentable chances just a hair’s breadth by the post.

There was to be one final opening for les Girondins, but neither Henri Saivet nor David Bellion could get a decisive touch as a ball span loose across the goalmouth in the dying stages, leaving Bordeaux’s position in first increasingly vulnerable.

Grenoble Foot38 1-1 Olympique Lyonnais

Claude Puel’s gamble to play a slightly weakened side before their Champions League encounter with Fiorentina failed to pay dividends as Grenoble battled back to secure a draw, despite having only ten men on the field.

Lyon did not make a very impressive start to the match at all and might have fallen behind on 12 minutes, when Jimmy Juan diverted Laurent Batlles’ corner off the visiting bar.

Until about the half hour mark, GF38 were still controlling the majority of possession, and it was only until after this point that OL started to assert themselves on the game. Cesar Delgado made a good incursion down the right side of the Grenoble defense, but his center was skewed wide by Sidney Govou. Five minutes later Lisandro failed to hit the target with a header as the half finished goalless.

Les Gones seemed to run out of steam a little in the second half, and created few chances against a side who were impressively resolute. Delgado linked well with Lisandro but his shot was saved by Le Crom only moment before the Argentine found a breakthrough that looked unlikely to come. Young left-back Timothee Kolodziecziak linked with Bafetimbi Gomis, whose touch was fired home by Delgado.

When Laurent Courtios was sent-off only a couple of minutes later, the game seemed to be up for the hosts, but incredibly they drew level on 72 minutes. Played through on goal delightfully, substitute Danijel Ljuboja finished calmly past Hugo Lloris.

Surprisingly Lyon were tame in the closing stages, with the game drifting away from them with no real growl.

Racing Club de Lens 2-1 Nancy

A brilliant late show from Lens saw them turn around a deficit to Nancy in fine style.

Lens have not been known for their scoring exploits this season, but they nearly moved ahead in just the first minute of play. Yohan Demont’s cross was aimed towards Toifilou Maoulida, who couldn’t steer the ball into the net.

An evenly balanced affair early, it was les Sang et Or who would continue to have the better opportunities in front of goal, though they were out of luck. Romain Sartre’s strong leap resulted in his header crashing off the post following a corner.

Youssouf Hadji responded for ASNL, though his header was easily saved by Vedran Runje in the visiting goal. Gennaro Bracigliano in the opposite net proved himself equally competent when blocking a Maoulida shot just before half-time.

Only seven minutes into the second half, a flowing move saw the Lorraine side move ahead. Reynald Lemaitre made progress down the left. His cross was headed intelligently back to Paul Afo’o Efoulou by Hadji, and the Cameroon international drove emphatically home.

Setting about their task of finding a leveler with some zest, the home team were unlucky to see Maoulida strike just wide. With 15 minutes to go, Abdoulrazak Boukari had a shot kicked clear by Bracigliano, but a leveller was just around the corner.

Maoulida was again the catalyst, striking goalwards with such force that Bracigliano could not control the rebound to his shot. Onto the ball like a flash, Issam Jemaa poached the goal with ten minutes remaining.

On the very next attack, Kevin Monnet-Paquet put the home side ahead. Roudet danced into space to cross the ball into the Nancy defense, Bracigliano failed to punch clear with real authority, and the young attacker struck.

In a tense conclusion, the guests nearly drew level with a Julien Feret effort that skimmed wide after taking a deflection off a home leg. Lens would, however, hold out.

Stade Rennais 2-1 Le Mans

Once again Le Mans couldn’t match a presentable showing with a positive result as they slipped to another defeat, this time at the hands of Stade Rennais.

MUC have shown they can play neat football this season, and their efforts might have been rewarded in the opening ten minutes of this affair. Mathieu Dossevi was denied by Nicolas Douchez, while another move broke down after good play from Anthony Le Tallec.

The visitors’ soft underbelly was soon exposed, with Kader Mangane heading simply home following a corner from Sylvain Marveaux, though goalkeeper Didier Ovono was at fault for missing the ball from the initial center.

Le Mans’ hard-luck story this season appeared set to continue as they struggled to make real headway in the home defense until just before half-time. Great play again from Le Tallec cause panic in the Breton defense, but Rod Fanni was able to clear just as Thorstein Helstad appeared set to level matters.

At the other end, Rennes were not a great threat, though Sow did waste a chance after a neat through pass from Marveaux. Ovono deserves credit for his part in denying the striker.

A change from Paulo Duarte at half-time would pay dividends as Roland Lamah announced himself with the leveling goal, firing a well placed shot into the net from the edge of the box.

Jires Ekoko and Herlod Goulon exchanged efforts, but a winning goal didn’t really appear forthcoming. That didn’t stop it from arriving, though. Ismael Bangoura released Asamoah Gyan with a clever pass, and the Ghanaian converted the winning goal coolly.

Robin Bairner, Goal.com

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Ligue 1 Round-Up: Valenciennes End Bordeaux’s Unbeaten Home Run

Neither of Ligue 1's top two could claim maximum points, as les Girondins and OL surprisingly dropped more points.

Nov 21, 2009 2:57:26 PM

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