Bordeaux and Saint-Étienne sent back to back

The 26th day of Ligue 2 offered this Saturday an opposition between two of the biggest winners in French football (16 league titles). On the pitch, Bordeaux and Saint-Étienne failed to get the better of each other (1-1). The Greens chained a fifth match without defeat in the Championship while Bordeaux saw their margin shrink. If Sochaux succeeds against Caen on Monday evening (8:45 p.m.), the Girondins could be dislodged from their place of dolphin.

From the 2nd minute, Dilane Bakwa lit the first fuse and rolled up a shot that brushed against Larsonneur’s post. The first minutes of the game featured two messy formations in their transmissions, but it was indeed the Stéphanois, in line with their four victories in a row, who got the biggest situations in the first period. If Aliou Badji and Bakwa created danger in the defense of the Greens (19th, 30th), Laurent Batlles’ men could have legitimately hoped to open the scoring several times.

Very active, Niels Nkounkou took the Gironde defense twice, but the action always ended in a shot that was too crossed (26th, 27th). A few minutes later, Dennis Appiah’s cross surprised captain Yoann Barbet, who could only clear on his post (34th). Symbol of the difficulties of Saint-Etienne at the finish, Wadji did not convert Monconduit’s service and sent the ball over the frame (45th + 1).

The Greens showed character

Returning from the locker room, Badji, well served by Fransergio, went about it twice to open the scoring and cold-pick the visitors (46th). While the tension rose a notch and the Greens, frustrated, could not find the solution, Manuel Da Costa (Laurent Battles’ assistant) was excluded by Nicolas Rainville (76th).

The picture darkened, and Josh Maja failed to make the break (77th). In the process, the Bordeaux number 11 was replaced by Clément Michelin (78th). The latter failed to get into the rhythm and missed his intervention on Abdoul Kader Bamba, causing a penalty that Jean-Philippe Krasso quietly converted for his 13th goal of the season (82nd).

If Saint-Étienne tried to pack the last minutes of the game, the score did not move. The Greens are surfing on their positive momentum and are provisionally ranked in 11th place while the Girondins will have their eyes glued to their rear view mirror. If Sochaux wins Monday evening against Caen, Bordeaux will no longer be second in Ligue 2.