Stade Chaban-Delmas, Bordeaux
Wednesday 22 October 2008 – 20.45CET
Group A – Matchday 3
FC Girondins de Bordeaux coach Laurent Blanc insists his side have “no choice” but to claim all three points against CFR 1907 Cluj on Wednesday as they attempt to recover from a dismal start in Group A.
Defensive problems
Back-to-back defeats have left the five-time French champions bottom of the section with the worst defensive record of any team after two Matchdays, and Blanc accepts that another setback would almost certainly bring his first UEFA Champions League run in the dugout to a premature halt. “[CFR] Cluj have surprised a lot of people and we respect them, but if we want to stay in the competition we have to win,” the 42-year-old said. “We owe it to ourselves to produce a strong performance.”
‘CFR favourites’
Yet toppling the impressive Romanian double winners has so far proved beyond both AS Roma and Chelsea FC. The Transylvanian debutants have taken instantly to life in Europe’s élite club competition, collecting four points from their opening two fixtures and making Blanc wary. “They’re favourites given their results,” argued the former France captain. “Not many people knew about CFR before the draw but now everyone knows they must be taken seriously. They’re well-organised and have many skilful individuals, especially in attack.”
Gourcuff threat
Bordeaux, however, will feel they have a potential match-winner of their own. Yoann Gourcuff has been in scintillating form, following up his goal against Roma on 1 October with a brilliant strike for France against Romania. He then inspired Saturday’s 2-1 home victory over Toulouse FC with another goal and an assist. Blanc, whose side are unbeaten in five domestic matches, will give Gourcuff a free role although he denied that his charges have become reliant on the 22-year-old playmaker. “He’s just one player,” said Blanc, who is missing suspended defenders Henrique and Benoît Trémoulinas but welcomes goalkeeper Ulrich Ramé back from injury. “If Cluj put all their efforts into stopping Yoann then everyone else will have more space.”
Positive approach
Such stifling tactics seem unlikely, though, with CFR coach Maurizio Trombetta urging his team to play positively in south-west France. “It’s difficult to say if a draw would be a good result because it depends on what happens,” Trombetta explained. “I’d like to win, of course, but above all I’d like my side to carry on playing the way they’ve played against Roma, Chelsea and FC [Dinamo] 1948 Bucure?ti.” Friday’s 1-0 home success against Dinamo, earned by Yssouf Koné’s goal, brought them back to within six points of the Liga 1 pacesetters and confirmed their resurgence under Trombetta.
Trombetta warning
The 46-year-old Italian, sampling his first taste of the UEFA Champions League, has overseen a run of eight games without defeat since taking charge last month. “Everybody is enjoying their football and the spirit is very strong,” observed Trombetta, who will name the same lineup that held Chelsea to a goalless draw should Dani pass a fitness test. “The important thing is to keep working hard on the pitch because Bordeaux will be a very difficult opponent. The fact they finished second in Ligue 1 last season and are currently fourth proves they are a good side.”
CFR aim to keep the good times rolling
The CFR 1907 Cluj players were full of smiles when they arrived at a rain-soaked Stade Chaban-Delmas for their final training session before Wednesday’s match against FC Girondins de Bordeaux, and the message from their two French-speaking players, Tony and Yssouf Koné, was clear: the Romanian champions have no fear.
‘Keep fighting’
Maurizio Trombetta’s side have taken Europe by surprise, winning their first-ever UEFA Champions League game at AS Roma before holding last season’s finalists Chelsea FC to a draw. They land in France as co-leaders of Group A, four points above Bordeaux, and with confidence understandably high. “Bordeaux are a big team, there’s no comparison between them and us,” said striker Koné. “But after the results against Roma and Chelsea we really believe in our chances and we intend to keep on fighting,” added the Burkina Faso international, whose goal on Friday earned a 1-0 victory over Liga 1 leaders FC Dinamo 1948 Bucure?ti.
International squad
Such is the international nature of the CFR squad, Tuesday’s news conference was conducted in a host of different languages: from English, French and Portuguese, to Romanian and Italian. Right-back Tony was born in France and will have as many as 47 friends and family members present in the stands, although he describes himself as Portuguese having spent the majority of his career in Portugal. The 27-year-old moved to Romania from CF Estrela da Amadora almost two years ago and has enjoyed an integral role in the club’s rise. “Our true strength is our togetherness,” Tony explained. “Nobody knew who we were, but by playing well as a team we have succeeded in putting Cluj on the map.”
‘Under pressure’
While CFR can take a significant step towards qualification with another win, Laurent Blanc’s men will be desperate to register their first points of a troubled campaign. Tony, though, is hoping to take advantage of point-less Bordeaux’s vulnerable position, saying: “All the pressure is on Bordeaux because they can’t afford to drop more points. But we’re not going to worry too much about how they play because we prefer to focus on our own strengths. We beat Roma and we probably deserved to beat Chelsea. If we play to our strengths again we are capable of beating Bordeaux.”
‘Snapping at heels’
Tony’s forthright views are often matched by his wholehearted performances, and he is fully aware of the nickname the CFR supporters have given him. “I know I’m called ‘pitbull’ and I’ll be snapping at the heels of the Bordeaux players,” he laughed, before adding more seriously: “People who watch the game might be surprised by our positive approach and the quality of our play.” CFR’s quality is no longer such a well-kept secret, however, and Koné offered a word of caution. “Everyone will be ready for CFR now because people have seen us play,” he said. “The hardest part will be to carry on getting good results. But if we keep on battling then there’s no reason why we can’t get a point – or even three.”
