Diarra: We’re looking to cause an upset

The Girondins Bordeaux players are quietly confident as they travel to Munich for Tuesday’s Champions League showdown with Bayern. Laurent Blanc’s men won the biggest match of the weekend in the French Ligue 1, defeating third-placed AS Monaco 1-0 to defend top spot in the standings ahead of bitter rivals Olympique Lyon, themselves 1-0 winners against St. Etienne.

“That was a good way to prepare for the game in Munich,” commented Girondins skipper Alou Diarra after his side’s sixth win in six home matches this term. Overall, Bordeaux are undefeated at home in their last 39 league games. “We’ll have to be patient and defend well against Bayern, just like we did against Monaco,” continued Diarra, “we’re going to Munich with the firm intention of getting a result.”

Planus on target

Blanc’s men won Saturday’s match from a set play. “That’s a speciality of ours,” Diarra remarked. Outstanding Monaco keeper Ruffier was able to claw away Chamakh’s header from Wendel’s free-kick, but the rebound fell at the feet of Marc Planus (pictured), who forced the ball over the line from close range on 62 minutes. The Girondins centre-back also struck the winner against Bayern two weeks ago.

Coach Blanc described himself as “very pleased” with his side’s display. “If you only knew the score, you’d think we struggled to beat Monaco. But if you look at the game as a whole, we were dominant and could easily have won by more,” reasoned the Girondins boss, who fielded a full-strength team against Monaco.

Monaco rue missed chances

The 32,393 at the Stade Chaban-Delmas saw the home side control 62 percent of the possession and win the shot count 21-11, but Monaco in fact pushed the champions all the way and were a shade hard done by not to score. “It’s a shame we didn’t take our chances,” reflected boss Guy Lacombe.

Bordeaux now come to Munich in good spirits after winning their last three matches. “Winning is always a good way to prepare for the Champions League. But it’s another competition altogether on Tuesday,” said Blanc. “We intend to be at our best,” Diarra added.

Bayern as favourites

The Girondins skipper, an FCB reserve from 2000 to 2002, said he expects “an intense, difficult game. Bayern are favourites, and they have their backs to the wall as well. A team like Bayern knows how to deal with games where there’s a lot at stake. But we’re looking to cause an upset.”

Bordeaux squad for the meeting with Munich:
Goalkeepers: Carrasso, Ramé
Defence: Chalmé, Ciani, Jurietti, Planus, Sané, Trémoulinas
Midfield: Diarra, Fernando, Gourcuff, Plasil, Wendel, Sertic
Forwards: Bellion, Cavenaghi, Chamakh, Gouffran, Jussiê, Saivet