Team Focus: Bordeaux

Bordeaux’s 1-0 win over Lyon at the Stade Chaban Delmas may not have been the most exciting game in France this weekend, however it did cement Les Girondins place as one of the in-form teams in Ligue 1.

After moving from his impressive managerial stint at Sochaux to the wine country of South-West France Francis Gillot couldn’t have imagined the disastrous start he would have to the league campaign. With only one win in the first 11 league games Gillot and his team sat 18th in the league table and miles away from the hoped European qualification spot.

At Sochaux, Gillot’s formation rarely drifted from 4-1-3-2, with one defensive anchor behind three creative midfielders with two tall, strong strikers leading the line.  During the opening few games this is what Gillot tried, with little success, as well as attempting a 4-2-3-1, which again reaped few rewards.

During the poor spell of form Gillot had tried to remain upbeat but eventually his frustrations came out in a post-match press conference:

“It's clear that we're at a low point. But there is no major problem in the squad - it is just a question of fine-tuning. I'm worried by the attitude we are showing but a win will get us going again.”

Before the turn of the year the former RC Lens coach turned to 4-4-2 and the change in tactics lead to striker Yoan Gouffran sparking into life. In three games the forward scored four goals as his side picked up their first victory.

The former French U21 international is enjoying his best ever return since moving to Bordeaux. So far this season the 25-year old has scored eight goals and set up another two. Averaging 1.6 shots a game Gouffran has a modest WhoScored rating of 6.81.

Where Cheick Diabate and the now out-on-loan Anthony Modeste couldn’t impress, Gouffran has been impressive and deadly. Although he is not the biggest striker at the club his aerial ability has been superb, scoring twice thus far with his head.

Bordeaux’s form picked up before the end of the year. In the last eight games they managed to win four times, with Gouffran’s form one of the catalysts. However, once 2012 got underway Bordeaux’s form really kicked into gear, and behind the great run were two new signings.

Brazilian wing-back Mariano signed from Fluminense and Polish midfielder Ludovic Obraniak made the move from fellow Ligue 1 side Lille. It was Mariano that brought about the biggest change at the club. Not known for his defensive side, similarly to most Brazilian full-backs, Mariano is blessed with pace and a desire to get forward and attack. Gillot made a slight change to get the best out of the new signing.

Gone was the 4-4-2 and in came in a new look 3-5-2. Mariano would play as a right sided wing-back and Benoit Tremoulinas would play the same role on the left. Tremoulinas instantly looked far more comfortable in his new role as, although he is a good defender, the Frenchman has always looked better as an attacking entity.

In the first game in the new formation Tremoulinas was the best player on the pitch as they beat Valenciennes 2-1. With a man of the match award under his belt and an assist to help his side to victory, it was clear that the left-back would enjoy his new freedom.

His rating of 6.72 isn’t the most impressive in Ligue 1 but it should rise in the coming weeks as Tremoulinas adds to his four assists so far this season. On the other flank after five games Mariano’s rating is up at 6.7. His stats of 68.5% pass accuracy and 0.9 key passes per game don’t exactly jump off the page but his role in the new formation has clearly opened up space for the rest of the team to operate.

Pole Obraniak has been the most effected by the formation in the new team. Since moving to Bordeaux the midfielder already has three goals to his name, with two of those goals coming against his old side as Bordeaux went away to the reigning champions and came back with a 5-4 victory.

Obraniak actually leads the team with averages of 3.8 shots per game and 1.8 key passes and all in just four appearances. With Euro 2012 on the horizon, Obraniak moved clubs to get more playing time and he couldn’t have asked for a better start at his new team.

Since the turn of the year Bordeaux are unbeaten in the league and only the 0-0 draw against Evian shows as a blemish on their record. The great run has moved FCGB up to ninth in the table and only six points off Lille in 3rd place.

As a team, Bordeaux’s main strength this season has come via a well-organised midfield and defence. On average they only allow the opposition to attempt 10.8 shots on goal, the third best amount in the league. It’s a little surprising then that they have let in 27 goals so far this season, though the unpredictability of Ligue 1 can cause surprises and upsets week in, week out.

After the narrow win against Lyon this weekend Gillot was clearly happy with the way his side played against a direct rival:

“Defensively, we were very, very good. It's not easy to not give Lyon a chance. In terms of winning the ball back, I thought the boys were more hungry than they looked at the start of the season.“

The slightest dip in performance could have a huge effect on every team in the top half. It’s too close to call at the top of Ligue 1 and a few wins each way and you can move from the glory of the Champions League to the disappointment of another season outside European competition.

Francis Gillot led Sochaux to the Europa League last season before moving on. Can he go one better and take Bordeaux all the way to the Champions League, or at least repeat the level of success at Sochaux last year with an excellent finish to the season with Les Girondins.