Bravo Bordeaux!!!!

Girondins de Bordeaux and Laurent Blanc are making believers of me...at least until I see who they draw for the first round of the knock out stage! However after controlling their group, which included Bayern Munich and Juventus, one has to think that Bordeaux have a good chance of advancing once the knock out starts. Plus, they were without Gourcuff in their 2-0 defeat of Juventus.

Watching the match it was clear that Bordeaux were by no means in awe of their opponents pedigree and trophy case. Rather Bordeaux came out and played the Old Lady as if they were playing a match against Grenoble from Ligue 1. They took their chances, played a smart game and were rewarded on set pieces. Juventus were unlucky not to draw even after a Del Piero cross could not be poked in by either Deco nor Amauri in the 64th minute. Now Bordeaux end top of their group and will be matched against a "weaker" opponent to start the knock out stage - as of the current standings unless they fall on Milan or Inter they should be a slight favorite to get past that stage.

Their current form is a testament to Laurent Blanc's coaching. For the return leg against Juventus he decided to line up a 4-2-3-1...sounds familiar? But he did so to block the Turin club and look to beat them on the counter, as well as make up for the loss of his play maker - Gourcuff. He also has his club believing in themselves, after a timid Champions League run last season, Bordeaux appear to go much deeper this year. I would not be surprised if Blanc is not spoken about for some bigger jobs next summer...maybe even running Les Bleus...