Saturday, October 31, 2009

 19:00 - Girondins de Bordeaux / AS Monaco FC 

Nenê's nine goals make him the top scorer in France by a distance. The 28-year-old's left foot has been Monaco's lethal, almost secret, weapon this season. Back from a season-long loan at Espanyol, the temperamental Brazilian has been the main factor behind Monaco's great spell of five wins from their last six, lifting them to second in the table behind champions Bordeaux.

Wendel: Nenê is the best

Fellow Brazilian Wendel, also the proud possessor of a sweet left foot, has been mightily impressed by his compatriot. "After 10 games he's the best player in the French championship. It's not just his goals. At Marseille, for example, he had a very good game. I know Nenê a bit and we played together for Santos in Brazil. Even then he had a great left foot. This season he's the best free kick taker around. He's scored four, I'm stuck on zero and I'll have to catch up as quickly as possible."

Many pundits predicted that Nenê, "a sparky character" according to fellow Brazilian midfielder Eduardo Costa, and new Monaco coach Guy Lacombe would prove a combustible mix. Lacombe said: "Yeah, he's got his character and I keep my eye on him. I know some think it will all blow up between us one day. We'll see. At least his defects are visible, as are mine when I start shouting my head off on the bench. But he's a good lad and he's really making an effort."

Gudjohnsen and Pino out, Adriano suspended

Lacombe is without Iceland striker Eidur Gudjohnsen (shoulder), Colombian forward Juan Pablo Pino (calf) and young defender Vincent Muratori (shoulder). Congolese defender Cédric Mongongu and South Korean forward Chu-Young Park are doubtful (both foot). Lacombe said: "We think Cédric might be OK, Chu is more doubtful." Brazilian defender Adriano is suspended.

Unlike title rivals Lyon, who have suffered a glut of groin injuries, Bordeaux have been more or less spared on the injury front this season, even if French player of the year Yoann Gourcuff did miss a couple of matches with a hamstring problem. Brazilian defender Henrique (knee) is the only major absentee for Laurent Blanc's side.

Full house

A crowd of nearly 35,000 will be in attendance and, barring a small pocket of travelling supporters, will expect Les Girondins to extend a record which this season stands at five home wins from five and 13 goals scored with just one goal conceded. Goalkeeper Cédric Carrasso has ominous words for the principality club. "We went through a bad patch but we're now back on track and we played well against Le Mans [3-0 in Week 10]. Before that we'd forgotten the fundamentals, and now we have to stay focused and play our football. We weren't proud after our defeats to Auxerre and Saint-Etienne and now we just have to keep playing like this through until the winter break."

The Les Bleus squad goalkeeper is well aware of where Monaco's strengths lie. "They're excellent on the counter-attack and won at Marseille like that. We've been warned, we know they're a good team and they'll be out to try to get the three points as well. We have to be patient against them."

Goucuff + Chamakh = goal

Bordeaux's own attacking assets are well known. Gourcuff and Marouane Chamakh were back in the groove against Le Mans. Gourcuff provided the assist from a corner for the Moroccan international forward to once again showcase his aerial prowess and head home the 50th Ligue 1 goal of his career. Chamkh enjoys this fixture and his scored in three of the last five Bordeaux-Monaco Ligue 1 fixtures at the Stade Chaban-Delmas.

>> Current Stats
>> Meetings

>> Countdown to the Big One

>> OPINION: Monaco enjoying last laugh