A real relief! The Girondins de Bordeaux logically won this Tuesday evening at Matmut Atlantique against Dunkirk (2-0) on the occasion of the 34th day of Ligue 2. In a very particular context due to the Ultramarines strike in Virage Sud, the Navy and White knew how to do the job with good control of the game from the first to the last minute. Zan Vipotnik and Zuriko Davitashvili scored Bordeaux’s two goals just before and after the break. This victory allows the Girondins to take an important step towards maintaining their position, now eight points ahead of the red zone four days before the end of the season.
Davitashvili is back
“It’s a complete match with and without the ball, savors Albert Riera, the Girondins coach. We provoked a lot, we could have scored more. But the opponent also likes the ball and forced us to be more in our camp. We showed that we can defend, not for 90 minutes, but for 20-25 minutes. Regarding the general performance, I am happy.” And he can be after a very good performance from his team at all levels. Faced with a harmless opponent, the Navy and Whites were patient and efficient for once this season. A copy which would also have been heavier for the Northerners without the excellent match of their goalkeeper.
We will particularly remember the performances of the two scorers of the evening. Davitashvili of Zuri once again had a very good match. He has three goals and three assists in six games since Georgia qualified for Euro 2024. It was a real turning point for him after months of wandering at the Girondins. Zan Vipotnik, after his big failure in Saint-Etienne, scored his 9th goal of the season against the Dunkirk. Even if he remains very discreet in the game, he also served Zuriko Davitashvili perfectly in his evening achievement. “It was very important to win at home in this somewhat strange atmosphere. We did it in a good way. This victory is a relief for everyone with the other results of the day. We can ensure our survival from Saturday in Laval” , explains Jérémy Livolant, the Marine et Blanc striker.
Virage Sud remained silent throughout the match against Dunkirk. © Maxppp
A South Turn silent throughout the match
As expected, this meeting took place in a very special atmosphere. The South Bend was completely empty at kick-off due to the Ultramarines encouragement strike, the largest group of Bordeaux supporters. This silence lasted the entire meeting. “I’m not going to talk about the supporters. I raised the subject at the start of the week, what I was hoping for, something else. This is the last time I’m going to talk about that. I’m going to focus on my players. With them, we are in the same boat.” said Albert Riera, whistled for one of the first times when the composition of the team was announced.
“We were very professional about it, recalls Jérémy Livolant. We stayed in our bubble. We tried to ignore all that. It wasn’t easy, but we made do. I hope that for the next match at home, things will be better and there will be less tension. We want them to be with us at the end of the season.” It will surely depend on the results and the commitment of the players until the end.
Goal, 50 points
A commitment on which Albert Riera will not skimp despite practically assured maintenance: “We don’t talk about all the matches, only the next one in Laval. We have to win. We want to surpass the 50 point barrier as quickly as possible. Afterwards, we’ll see. But you know how I am, there won’t be no relaxation.” It’s true that on this side, we can count on the Spaniard to keep everyone at 300%. For Jérémy Livolant, “we must try to finish as high as possible even if I am sure we will have regrets at the end.” “The objective is to grab places and do honor to this jersey, to this club. It was a very complicated season, but it is not over and we want to end it in the best possible way,” says the Girondins striker.