12 goals and eight assists tell the bare statistical tale of the contribution of Yoann Gourcuff.

The France playmaker has become the very symbol of the club since his move from AC Milan last summer. Comparisons with Zinedine Zidane were "inevitable" according to Bordeaux coach Laurent Blanc and it was not hard to see why when Gourcuff combined artistry and spatial awareness to deadly effect to score one of the goals of the season as Bordeaux thrashed Paris Saint-Germain in January.

Blanc said: "Gourcuff and Zidane have a smiliar way of running with the ball, and both have excellent close control, often using the sole of the foot. I hope Yoann will develop his own identity but it's impossible to stop the comparison."

Gourcuff suffered a dip in form after that, as did the club, but bounced back strongly, scoring a vital last-minute winner at Rennes in Week 33 and popping up with another winner at Valenciennes in Week 35.

2. Laurent Blanc

It is easy to forget that this is only Blanc's second season as a coach. Nicknamed "the President" Blanc has led Bordeaux to the Ligue 1 summit. He signed a new two-year contract in early 2009 and his input has even drawn praise from Erik Gerets, his Marseille counterpart.

"Lolo [Blanc's nickname] is a very intelligent person, and he had a playing career to die for," said Gerets, who is a former Belgian international and European Cup winner.

"He's a young coach, but what he's done is exceptional. French football is lucky to have him. We're rivals, but you can also have great esteem for one another, and it's mutual."

3. Home form

Bordeaux are the only Ligue 1 team unbeaten at home this season. Indeed Les Girondins have not lost at home in the league since October 2007.

Home form has been the difference between Bordeaux and their main rivals Lyon and Marseille. Lyon have dropped 19 points at home, Marseille 22 and Bordeaux just 10.

Lyon's dip this season undoubtedly helped Bordeaux break their stranglehold on the title.

4. Mental strength

Put simply Bordeaux never know when they're beaten. Rewind to Sunday December 21 2008. It's half-time at the Stade Louis II and Bordeaux are trailing 3-0 to Monaco. On comes Marouane Chamakh at half-time and the Moroccan's two goals and an assist inspire Bordeaux to an incredible 4-3 win.

Chamakh said: "It's perhaps the match which best depicts our season. I'll never forget that game. It's close to my heart and it was a key game."

Chamakh also cites come-from-behind wins at Rennes (3-2 Week 33), at Valenciennes (2-1 Week 35), and at home to Le Mans (3-2) as proof of Bordeaux's resolve.

5. Ability to cope with injuries

It seemed as though Bordeaux treatment room was more likely to be filled than the club's trophy cabinet at one stage this season. The club's South American contingent have been most seriously affected with Jussie, Wendel and Fernando Cavenaghi all missing large chunks of the season. In addition to that midfielder Fernando picked up a four-game ban for insulting a referee.

In the end everything turned out for the best. A rampant Bordeaux secured the League Cup with a crushing win over Ligue 2 club in Vannes and with confidence coursing through their veins continued their amazing winning streak in Ligue 1.

Cavengahi out? Not a problem as Chamakh stepped up to set a new personal best goals tally for the season. Missing a key left-sided player in Wendel? Not a problem, enter Grégory Sertic, a 19-year-old, to score against Sochaux on only his second Ligue 1 appearance.

Whatever challenge has been thrown at them Bordeaux have proved equal to it. Here at ligue1.com we would like to extend our congratulations to Laurent Blanc, his Bordeaux squad and the club.