The Girondins de Bordeaux will host Nice on Saturday in a rescheduled match of Ligue 1’s 26th day. Although defeated in Montpellier last weekend, Francis Gillot’s players have shown a clear resurgence since the beginning of the year, coinciding with a change in the system of play to a 5-3-2 formation.
After a disastrous start to the season, Francis Gillot seems to have found the solution for Bordeaux, and his team has maintained a streak of four consecutive home victories.
Confirmation of the success of the new tactical system is expected against Nice on Saturday. A week after their first defeat of the year in the championship at Montpellier, where they did not falter (1-0), the Girondins are under scrutiny.
It’s a somewhat unusual tactical scheme that stands out in Ligue 1, but it works. Before their fall in Hérault, the team with the scapular claimed victories against Toulouse (2-0), Lille (4-5), and Lyon (1-0) with this tactic.
The arrival of Mariano is not unrelated to this change. Desired by Gillot, the Brazilian full-back quickly adapted, making Lamine Sané and Matthieu Chalmé forgotten on the right flank and allowing his coach to test his new formula.
Thus, Nice might not fully recognize the Bordeaux team that was humiliated during the first leg on the Côte d’Azur (3-0). Having returned to the top half of the standings thanks to their good series in 2012, the Girondins, now 9th and four points away from the European spots, can start dreaming. Especially if Gillot’s formula proves to be truly magical.
As for the Aiglons, the narrow victory against Caen allowed them to breathe, but they remain in great need of recovering points, and a draw in Gironde could suit them perfectly.
René Marsiglia has selected a squad of 17 players for this trip. Pejcinovic (thigh) and Abriel (hip) are out. Initially planned, Kevin Anin has to withdraw. Julien Sablé returns.
Goalkeepers: Fernandez, Ospina
Defenders: Civelli, Clerc, Gomis, M’Bow, Monzon
Midfielders: Coulibaly, Digard, Meriem, Palun, Sablé
Forwards: Dja Djedje, Grandin, Guie Guie, Mouloungui, Mounier
Absent: Abriel, Anin, Diakité, Hellebuyck, Pejcinovic, Pentecôte (injured), Gonçalves, Malaga, Veronese (coach’s decision)
