PSG visits Bordeaux

The backdrop of the PSG, Bordeaux match certainly has taken a different turn following Saturday’s Ligue 1 match. With the Les Rouges et Noirs continuing on their incredible run defeating Grenoble, Rennes is now two points behind perennial champion Olympique Lyonnais who were held by Lorient to a 1-1 draw. Coupled with l’OM’s comfortable 2-0 victory over AJ Auxerre, the table is not only open but without a doubt the chance to end Claude Puel’s club seven year dynasty is there.

Debate it all you will and as much as they will deny it, both Laurent Blanc and Paul Le Guen know that a victory would catapult their sides to within a whisper of the top spot. For Paul Le Guen and certainly all PSG fans, the events of the first half of the campaign have a surreal taste to them. While this time last year I spent my time putting pen to paper, exalting the club on to avoid relegation, now we sit and discuss European efforts and yes, the chance of ending Lyon’s domination of Ligue 1.

Stade Chaban Delmas will be a uninviting setting for PSG, not only because of near sub-zero temperatures as the match commences but the thirst in Laurent Blanc’s heart to bring his side to win a point of Lyon with a victory over PSG. Both sides are void of fresh injuries and have rested their forces such that this match will be played with their finest troops. As you would expect, the cat and mouse game with both managers complimentary of each others sides has been active this week as he knows this heavyweight battle could be elixir to the ultimate goal.

Echoeing Paul Le Guen ’s sentiments, Bordeaux is a incredibly challenging club, of utmost quality that go forth is complex formation. With a litany of talent, most notably Yoann Gourcuff, Wendel and Yoan Gouffran, Bordeaux will pose a host of problems for Claude Makélélé and company. While the interaction of Alou Diarra with PSG’s Ludovic Giuly and France’s great emerging players, Guillaume Hoarau could be a key structural component, Stéphane Sessegnon will need to be at his absolute best. In the end, this match will bring out the best of both sides and be won through superiour tactics of Paul Le Guen and Laurent Blanc.