After the opening two games in Group C, Liverpool and PSV Eindhoven lead the group on 4 points. Bordeaux’s draw with Galatasary away in Istanbul earned them a valuable point to stay in the hunt for qualification.
In a mid table position in the French League after 8 games, the Girondins’ away form is poor, but in contrast their only home League loss this season was a creditable 1-2 defeat to champions Lyon.
FC Girondins de Bordeaux v Liverpool
Matchday 3
Wednesday, 18th October 2006
Stade Chaban-Delmas
Kick off: 7.45pmFormed in 1881 as an all round sports club, FC Girondins de Bordeaux are now owned by the French Television group M6. The club has been French Champions 5 times, with their most successful period in the 1980’s when they won the Championnat 3 times and the French Cup twice.
French league Championship: 5 (1949/50, 1983/84, 1984/85, 1986/87, 1998/99)
French Cup : 3 (1941, 1986, 1987)
League cup: 1 (2002)
They first qualified for European competition in 1964, and their finest hour was reaching the 1996 Uefa Cup Final where they were defeated over two legs by a Bayern Munich team that included Markus Babbel and Didi Hamann. What was remarkable about Bordeaux's achievement that year was they had to qualify for Europe via the Intertoto Cup, and became the first such club to achieve the arduous feat of reaching the final.
Current Manager Ricardo Gomes is a Brazilian who played in the 1990 World Cup and formerly managed Paris St Germain.
GoalkeepersRame 18
Valverde 30
DefendersFaubert 18
Henrique 3
Jemmali 13
Jurietti 6
Marange 23
Planus 27
Trémoulinas 28
Cid 25
Baysse 2
Enakarhire 21
MidfieldersAlonso 8
Ducasse 19
Fernando 5
Francia 10
Mavuba 24
Micoud 14
Smicer 11
Dalmat 20
Wendel 17
Forwards
Chamakh 29
Darcheville 9
Laslandes 7
Perea 12
Obertan 26
Answers to these Spyin' Kop questions come from David, known as "Bordeauxfan" on RAWK and from Philip and Adrian, from the Bordeaux forum,
http://forum.girondins.com/index.php. And a very friendly, welcoming bunch they have been. Many thanks for your help!
How has the season been shaping up so far? PhilipLast season, Bordeaux finished 2nd, above all thanks to its defence. We had success in some matches, and often won a single goal, 1/0. The second place was deserved, and reflected the level of the team in the hierarchy of the French championship.
AdrianQuite strange. The team plays better football, more attractive but the results don't follow as they did last season. We don't score the goal that used to give us three points last season. The three defeats were against the so-called big three, but the 4th defeat is a bit more worrying, as it was against a promoted team, when we dominated the whole first half. The team tries to play some decent football, but is too naive at the moment to play this kind of football.
What are your expectations for this season? Have they changed from day one? PhilipWe hope to qualify for next season's champion's league, (i.e. to finish in the three first).
AdrianMy expectations haven't changed personally. It is well known that the hardest task is to maintain form, so a top 4 finish would satisfy me. I know that the other supporters wanted another top three finish and a qualification to the Champions League, or even to try and build a title-winning team. But you need to be realistic. I honestly think we will have to settle for 6th.
Who do you think is your most important player(s)? PhilipNot easy to say. Perhaps, Johan Micoud, but he doesn't play very well at the moment.
AdrianUlrich Rame, the goalkeeper, even though he's not as good as last season. A lot had been expected from Johann Micoud's return to Bordeaux, but so far, he has disappointed. Youth products Mavuba and Planus are also key players while new international Julien Faubert could also be one of the most important players.
DavidI consider that Fernando, who was a real unknown player last year is the most important player of the team. A very good and worker middle player.
Faubert, on his good days can be a very good, international level player.
The same goes for Rio Mavuba, who has 3 lungs!
Your worst player(s)? PhilipWe don't have worst players!!!!
AdrianWorst player? Maybe Lilian Laslandes, he's not as good as he used to be in his first spell at the club, he should better retire, he simply doesn't bring something to the team any more.... Defender Henrique is also one of players I like least here, he just seems like a terrorist when he is on a football pitch. Dangerous, aggressive, he's not made for defending in a league like ours, where defending is so important.
DavidThere are so many.
Many Liverpool fans are looking forward to welcoming our Istanbul hero Vladimir Smicer back to Anfield in the return leg. What sort of impact has he made at the club? PhilipVladimir Smicer is a great player very appreciated. Unfortunately, he has been injured for 6 months, and it is not yet sure that it will play against Liverpool.
AdrianWell he's been out injured during most of his one year and a half spell at the club. Prospects were high as to the partnership he could produce with Micoud. I remember Smicer's goal in Istanbul so well, what a goal that was. Shame you won't see Bruno Cheyrou by the way...
(Note from Terri - I had refrained from asking about the lovely Bruno....)Any young up and coming players in the squad that excite you for the future? PhilipRio Mavuba and Julien Faubert are our young and coming up players in this squad. They already have played for the French national team.
AdrianGabriel Obertan, just 17 I think, he could play quite a few games this season and could well become one of the good players of the club. Midfielders Mavuba, Fernando and Faubert have already proved their quality, and could become great players too.
Apart from Zinedine Zidane, which past players have made a name for themselves on the international stage? PhilipApart from Zidane, the most famous players of the club are Alain Giresse, Jean Tigana, Eric Cantona, Didier Deschamps, Christophe Dugarry, Bixente Lizarazu, Perdo Miguel Pauleta.
AdrianI'm still quite young so I can't go far in the past, but we had many players from the Euro 84 winning squad (Marius Tresor, Tigana ex-Fulham manager....) and more recently Sylvain Wiltord, Bixente Lizarazu, Johann Micoud. We also had players like Legwinski (now at Ipswich I think), Bonnissel (ex-Fulham), Riera and Musampa (Man City) who went on to play in England after Bordeaux so you might know them.
What sort of line-up will you put out against us? PhilipThe team should be:
Ramé
Jemmali- Planus- Henrique- Jurietti
Mavuba- Fernando
Wendel- Micoud- Faubert
Darcheville
AdrianHmmm, I really don't know because we have players out injured, but probably a 4-5-1, with 2 defensive midfield players and an attacking midfield. I'd go for this line up:
----------------------------Rame-----------------------------
Jemmali--------Planus--------------Enakarire-------Jurietti
--------------------Mavuba-----------Fernando-------------
Faubert-------------------Micoud--------------------Wendel
-----------------------Chamakh (or perhaps Darcheville)-----
DavidGoal keeper: Ramé
Defence: Jurietti/Jemmali/Enakarhire/Marange
Middle: Wendel/Mavuba/Micoud/Fernando
Offensive: Darcheville/Chamakh
But it should be an offensive team, because we do not have the choice, we must win, and I'm strongly convinced that we are able to do it
What sort of atmosphere can we expect in the Stade Chaban Delmas for this game? PhilipThe atmosphere in Jacques Chaban Delmas, is nothing like that at Anfield Road. The people present are more spectators that fans. But for your arrival, it is likely to have all the same a good atmosphere.
AdrianHonestly, not something really good. Nothing like what we're used to in the UK. Around 30 000 people should pack Chaban Delmas though
DavidThe fans are disappointing, but this is a real gala match for us. The Virage sud is the real end for the atmosphere. I suppose that the beginning of the match should be quite hot... the rest shall depend on the match...
Do you have any favourite/best chant(s) or songs and perhaps any that require an explanation? PhilipNot really.
AdrianNot really, they are pretty much the same everywhere in France, you just need to change the team's name.
DavidNo explanation because there is not an historic song, but my favourite is
Allez allez bordelais / Let's go bordelais
Pour vous tous ensemble on va chanter / for all of you we are singing together
et nous chanterons sans fin / and we shall sing
pour la gloire des girondins / for the glory of the girondins
Ecoutez ce chant qui vient du coeur / Listen to this song which come from the heart
Nous sommes amoureux de nos couleurs/ we are in love with our colours
le maillot marine et blanc / the marine and white jersey
Nous l'avons tous dans le sang / All of us have it in our blood
A bordeaux ailleurs ou que vous soyez / At Bordeaux or everywhere you would be
Nous serons la derriere vous à chanter / we shall be behind you for singing
Car le maillot au scapulaire/ because the jersey with the scapulaire (the V on the shirt)
est un maillot légendaire/ is a legendary jersey
Have you any thoughts on Liverpool as a club? PhilipI love the reds, and its history. I love Liverpool. I love the environment of Anfield Road. I love "You'll never walk alone". Your last victory in champion's league was one of the greatest moment of my life.
It is felt, that the fans of Liverpool, live only for football! Liverpool is my second favourite team after Bordeaux (equal with Saint-Etienne).
AdrianI don't mind this club honestly. Obviously, great support, great history. But the Houllier generation bringing plenty of Frenchmen and now with Rafa bringing many Spaniards, I think the club has lost a bit of its tradition.
DavidLFC appears to be a mythical club, for its history, the Spion Kop and You'll Never Walk Alone. The authentic and genuine side of this club makes the game against you more important than the game versus Manchester in 2000.
I'm really happy to see Liverpool return to being one of the top clubs in Europe, because at the time where money is becoming the most important thing for the clubs.
Where do you expect Bordeaux and Liverpool to finish in the Champions League? Who do you think will win the Trophy? PhilipI hope that Bordeaux will pass the first round. But it will be very difficult, now we have lost at home against PSV. Liverpool will pass this round. After that, all will depend on the drawing of lots. I do not believe that you will renew your exploits of 2005... I'm afraid that Lyon, or Chelsea will win the trophy.
AdrianBordeaux would be lucky to clinch 3rd place, we will be fighting along with Galatasaray for this spot. Liverpool, I'd say quarter or semi-finals. I hope they could make us dream as they did when beating Milan
DavidI really hope that those two teams shall be in 1/8, even if it shall be difficult for us. Liverpool should go in 1/4 easily, after, it's to difficult to say. Just hope that it should not be Chelsea or Madrid.
Which Liverpool player will you fear the most? PhilipI'll fear Steven Gerard, and Peter Crouch, above all. But the danger can come from anywhere, with Liverpool!
AdrianGerrard obviously, but also Carragher and Crouch.
DavidMMMhhhh I suppose that the most famous are Gerrard and after the world cup Crouch. I really think your team is overall better than ours, but in one game, everything is possible because we have good players too
Care to predict the score? Philip1/0 for Bordeaux, of course!
AdrianWith a bit of luck, a home draw. I'd go for a 2-1 defeat away and 1-0 defeat at home. Good luck to Liverpool, I hope they finish higher than the Arsenal wankers.
DavidLol... I would like 2/1 for Bordeaux... we do not have the choice. To conclude, I would like to wish a great trip to all the Red fans who shall be in Bordeaux next week, have a good time mates, Bordeaux is a beautiful city, with good parties to have!
Thanks to Philip, Adrian and David for their answers.
© Tetti 2006