Match Previews

Bordeaux are resting their entire first team squad... Micoud (sp)(mid) the only injury... Only a fifteen man squad named... Having already qualified for the knockout stages of the UEFA Cup, Laurent Blanc has signalled his intentions are firmly focused on progress in the league as he has shunned the opportunity to select a strong side in order to attempt to win the group. Indeed a massive twelve first team players have been left in France as a largely shadow squad travels to Athens to face Panionios, who need a win to be assure of progression. Blanc will theorise that such a squad will be hungry for the chance to impress and the first team football that could potentially go with it. It is a tactic used previously in this competition by les Girondins, most notably when they scraped a three-two victory over Tampere United in the qualifying stage. In goal Ramé (r) is one of those players left behind and so Valverde (sp) will get a rare chance to shine in goal. The defence will also be completely comprised of squad players although both Jemmali (sp) and Marange (sp) have a significant amount of first team football while Trémoulinas (sp) is generally regarded as a bright prospect along with Brégerie. The midfield will have an incredibly unfamiliar feel to it with only Ducasse (sp) having any game time at all this season. Ted Lavie, who is a holding player, will start in the centre with Ducasse. Jussië (sp) and Obertan (sp), strikers by trade, potentially playing wide. Other options include Abdou Traoré and Moimbé, neither of whom have ever featured in a first team squad before. Cavenaghi (sp) has been making increasingly regular appearances for the first team and could partner Perea in attack. The Uruguayan has yet to feature at all for Bordeaux this season but will surely get his chance here. The entire first team are rested while Micoud is the only injury concern.