The Girondins de Bordeaux officially launched their season in Ligue 2 this Saturday during the 7 p.m. multiplex. After a nightmarish season last year and an eventful summer with a demotion to National for financial reasons, the Bordelais were finally well present in front of their public against Valenciennes. Without Yoann Barbet or Vital Nsimba not qualified, David Guion could almost only count on the young people of the training center for this match, while waiting for recruits. On the Valenciennes side, we could notably find in the eleven Mathieu Debuchy and the former Brest goalkeeper Gautier Larsonneur.
After a rather rhythmic first period without having any chances, both teams started to leave a little more space behind. But despite a few Bordeaux attempts from Maja or Bakwa, Larsonneur was able to remain vigilant to keep his clean sheet. Lacking offensive ideas, Bordeaux and Valenciennes did not create big chances at the end of the match. The entry of Korean striker Hwang Ui-Jo, awaiting departure, did not change anything. The Girondins started their season with a draw (0-0). Not ideal, but looking at the glass half full, the defense didn’t concede a goal, a feat when you remember last season.
FC Metz gets off to a good start
In the other matches at the same time, Guingamp launched its season perfectly by crushing Pau (4-0). The Bretons made the difference in the first period by scoring three times. Livolant and Gaudin (twice) notably found the fault in this match. Same story for FC Metz who did the job against Amiens (3-0). Laszlo Boloni’s side got off to a good start with a big win thanks to goals from Gueye, Ibrahima Niane and Mikautadze.
At the same time, Niort got the better of promoted Annecy 2-1, thanks in particular to a goal from former OM player Bilal Boutobba. Laval, for its part, perfectly managed its trip to Corsica against Bastia with a great victory (2-0). Algerian striker Zakaria Naidji scored twice in this match. Note the draws between QRM and Rodez (0-0) or Le Havre and Grenoble (0-0). Caen snatched the victory against Nîmes in the last moments (0-1).
Evening results:
- Bordeaux 0-0 Valenciennes
- Annecy 1-2 Niort (Temanfo; Merdji, Boutobba)
- Bastia 0-2 Laval (Naiji x2)
- Guingamp 4-0 Pau (Livolant, Gaudin x2, Merghem)
- Le Havre 0-0 Grenoble
- Metz 3-0 Amiens (Gueye, Mikautadze, Niane)
- Nimes 0-1 Caen (Kyeremeh)
- QRM 0-0 Rodez