Laurent Koscielny and his Bordeaux teammates got 2020 off to the perfect start with the win at home to Le Mans, returning to winning ways after a run of four defeats on the trot to end 2019.

"It was necessary to stop the downward spiral from December and start again in 2020 with a victory," said the former Lorient, Arsenal and France stopper. "It wasn't easy. Confidence, you know, it goes away quickly after a defeat."

'It wasn't easy'

Although Les Girondins struggled to contain a feisty Le Mans side in the first half, Jimmy Briand's experience weighed in as he won - and converted - a penalty early in the second half (53'). The goal saw Bordeaux grow in confidence and Toma Basic clinched the result, latching onto Josh Maja's pass to cap a counter-attack with a delightful toe-poke that saw Bordeaux win through to the round of 32 (90'+4).

"It was a good game, they were always looking to get forward and pose us problems," continued the 34-year-old, who is enjoying his first season back in France after long stint with Arsenal. "We made the difference by raising our level, it wasn't easy, it's the Coupe."

'Work calmly'

Paulo Sousa's side will now look to take this momentum into their return to Ligue 1 Conforama action at home to Lyon on Saturday 11 January.

"Even if it wasn't three points at stake, it's a win tonight," said Koscielny, who will be set one helping his side to avenge the 3-2 loss they suffered when OL last made the trip to the south-west, in Week 34 of the 2018-19 season. "We're going to be able to work calmly this week and prepare for the resumption of Ligue 1."