Monaco (1-1): the Girondins have laid the foundations for the fight
Suddenly they backed off
For his first match on the bench, under the eyes of President Gérard Lopez, the former Rémois therefore came out with mixed feelings. The “regrets” of the missed opportunities in the final by Hwang Ui-Jo which would have propelled the Bordeaux club to the 20and at the 16and place in a race for the maintenance, which is still just as tight, thirteen stages from the finish. But also the positive of a starting point, in every sense of the word, of the rescue operation. “We are several teams in the fight and everything will be important. This point will help us to continue our work. »
Four days after taking office, David Guion was first expected on the improved keys to stop the bleeding after 17 goals conceded in the last four days. The Girondins only took one this time, which is progress. Above all, they had not conceded so few chances since October (Nantes 1-1 and Lorient 1-1), proof that something has already happened. In a compact 5-4-1 without the ball, Josuha Guilavogui, unsurprisingly promoted to new captain, and his teammates deprived their opponent of space and time. Better, over the first half, they defended by advancing, pushed by the won duels of the defensive axial trio and pulled by the “hunter” Onana coming to scratch important balls. They sometimes narrowly missed taking advantage of all the recoveries, but they took the score.
A “disparate” physique
Why, then, not to have sought to drive the point home when the stars finally seemed to align after the expulsion of Bordeaux from Monaco Aurélien Tchouméni in the 34and minutes? “We have to show more personality to go up the block, give up less ground and leave Ui-Jo (Hwang) less lonely,” said David Guion. This team needs to gain more self-confidence. The idea will be to keep the ball better, even under pressure. »
“This team needs to acquire more confidence in itself”
The former defender says he expects more from his “technical leaders” including Yacine Adli, decisive, but still polluted by too many ball losses. Monaco also knew how to press where it hurts: if Gideon Mensah begins to win on the left, Timothée Pembele suffered again when ASM coach Philippe Clément sent him the swift Gelson Martins in addition to Caio Henrique in The paws.
The Parisian, 19, suffered physically and he is not the only one. While Enock Kwateng has added his name to the long list of muscle injuries of the season (after Kalu, Koscielny, Onana, Hwang, Briand, Zerkane and Costil), the preparation could continue to be debated. “We had a hole. Some finished or left very tired, but we also finished the game strong. It’s a bit disparate, ”commented David Guion.
The technician, reassured by the medical staff for Alberth Elis (injury to the meniscus of the knee), also hopes to recover “vital forces to have emulation”. And have the widest possible choice for the next two meetings – trip to Clermont on Sunday and reception of Troyes on March 6 – against direct competitors. “As I said when I arrived, we take the matches one by one. All will be important, ”repeated the coach. The Girondins are now on the same level in the fight to maintain.