Bordeaux claimed a much-needed success in the UEFA Champions League as they beat CFR Cluj 1-0.
Bordeaux handed fortunate victory
Bordeaux claimed a much-needed success in the UEFA Champions League as they ground out a 1-0 win against CFR Cluj.
An own goal from Cluj captain Cadu gave the Frenchmen all three points, handing the Romanians a European reality check.
The home side edged the opening exchanges during a scrappy first half, with former Manchester United forward David Bellion lively on the left flank.
It was, though, Bordeaux's on-loan midfielder Yoan Gourcuff who dictated much of the action, going close on a couple of occasions.
Fernando Menegazzo also fired an ambitious effort narrowly wide from the edge of the box, while Marouane Chamakh wasted the best chance for Laurent Blanc's side when he glanced a header inches past the post moments before the interval.
Cluj, this season's surprise package, looked solid throughout, sensing that a counter-attack system was the best tactic to employ.
Of the few opportunities they were able to create in the opening 45 minutes, Juan Culio wasted the clearest cut.
The winger found space inside the box just after the half-hour mark, but, from a tight angle, saw his low drive kept out by the feet of Ulrich Rame.
Resistance
The Romanian resistance was broken, however, shortly after the interval as Cadu inexplicably put through his own net.
Gourcuff's inswinging delivery from the right looked to pose little threat to the visitors, only for a lack of communication to result in the Cluj skipper being left red-faced.
The Portuguese defender was then fortunate not to suffer the indignity of scoring a second own goal soon after as his sliced clearance from inside the six-yard box forced Eduard Stancioiu into a smart reaction save.
With the game now opening up Bordeaux were always likely to begin exploiting the gaps in the Cluj rearguard.
So it proved, with substitute Geraldo Wendell wasting a gilt-edged chance when allowed far too much space to close in on goal and plant a tame effort into the grateful hands of Stancioiu.
Eugen Trica was then dismissed for picking up a second yellow card in injury-time, ruling out any chance of a late comeback.
Bordeaux are now right back in contention in Group A, while Cluj will be anxiously looking over their shoulder.
| Bordeaux |
Team Statistics |
CFR Cluj |
| 1 |
Goals |
0 |
| 0 |
1st Half Goals |
0 |
| 6 |
Shots on Target |
1 |
| 10 |
Shots off Target |
5 |
| 3 |
Blocked Shots |
3 |
| 5 |
Corners |
2 |
| 13 |
Fouls |
16 |
| 2 |
Offsides |
5 |
| 3 |
Yellow Cards |
4 |
| 0 |
Red Cards |
1 |
| 80.5 |
Passing Success |
69.2 |
| 18 |
Tackles |
22 |
| 88.9 |
Tackles Success |
86.4 |
| 63.1 |
Possession |
36.9 |
| 62.3 |
Territorial Advantage |
37.7 |
|
