Bordeaux pays back PSG with 4-0 destruction

With a backdrop of PSG’s 1-0 victory over Bordeaux in the second week of the year and only four points off perennial champion Olympique Lyonnais in first place, Laurent Blanc’s side put forth a stunning demonstration as they defeated the Parisians 4-0. For PSG, the match started with promise as they had a keen eye towards finding an early goal and appeared to have the upper hand. Yet in-hindsight Bordeaux was merely finding their rhythm and it was a beat the PSG could not keep up with.

The cold evening chill at Stade Chaban Delmas could not slow Bordeaux and after PSG challenged early, Souleymane Diawara drove into the box dreadfully unmarked to aggressively head Yoann Gourcuff free-kick to give the home side a 1-0 lead after ten minutes. The goal seemed to startle PSG and the attacking intent of Stéphane Sessegnon bled-out and the brilliant young striker Guillaume Hoarau seemingly absent. Ten minutes from the break Mathieu Chalmé sent a stunning pass some thirty-five plus meters to a surging Fernando Cavenaghi who followed with a textbook left-footed half volley into the back of the net. It was a telling blow as the Argentine international, Cavenaghi had snuck behind Zoumana Camara who appeared to expect Mickaël Landreau to move up to challenge the ball but in a rare moment of indecision the PSG ‘keeper did not come forward. With the lead now doubled the chilling temperatures juxtoposed temper flares up on the pitch. Tackles took a harsher tone and referee Stéphane Lannoy worked diligently to maintain control of the match. Quite truthfully, PSG was fortunate not to be playing a man down before the break as Stéphane Sessegnon embarrassed himself with a dreadful dive that was deserving of his second yellow-card of the night. While PSG hunted for a goal to draw them back into the match, Yoann Gourcuff provided a highlight clip piece of footwork that will live throughout his long career. Receiving the ball in the box he outwitted Sammy Traoré by dragging the ball back and finishing perfectly into the net to bring the match to a 3-0 scoreline with twenty minutes remaining. Regardless of your allegiances it was absolute genius and further evidence of his boundless promise. Stéphane Sessegnon night of horror continued in the final ten minutes as from six meters out and a golden opportunity for a consolation goal, he managed to somehow send the ball off track. The celebration continued for the home fans as Fernando Menegazzo added the fourth goal with three minutes remaining to bring the match to the final 4-0 score.

Without a doubt this was PSG’s darkest moment this campaign and they will need to show the mettle they are made of. Lessons are to be learned from this match and in so doing, continue their chase for hardware. Resolve is what champions are made of and now is the time to show it. PSG enters a unique scheduling run as their next five Ligue 1 matches are all against lower-table sides that could easy see them come out with a full fifteen points. With Sochaux-Montbéliard, SM Caen, FC Nantes, Saint-Étienne and Grenoble the opportunity to climb up the table is before them.

Before returning to Ligue 1 action, PSG faces RC Lens in a thrilling Coupe de la Ligue match this Wednesday.