These are exciting times in French football. Well, at least they were, until last weekend. Bordeaux had the opportunity to narrow the gap against league leaders Lyon to one point with a home victory against struggling Grenoble. It has become all too predictable in Ligue 1, with Lyon champions for seven straight years, but this year it seemed like they might not have it all their own way. Unfortunately for Bordeaux, Grenoble had other ideas.

The match began positively for Bordeaux in the first half but as chances came and went, the players and the crowd began to get restless. Bordeaux’s top scorer, Moroccan Marouane Chamakh did his very best to galvanise the home team. He linked extremely well with Fernando Cavenaghi to produce three excellent chances for the Argentine but these were all squandered.

With Grenoble forced to drop deeper and deeper in their defending, it seemed only a matter of time before Bordeaux would get the breakthrough. It came after 60 minutes, and again Cavenaghi was involved. The Argentine connected with a deep cross and his header was well saved by Grenoble shot-stopper Gregory Wimbee. Unluckily for the veteran goalkeeper, the ball deflected straight to Chamakh for an easy tap-in to make it 1-0 to Bordeaux.

The Moroccan’s goal inspired the home team to go in for the kill. Bordeaux’s Fernando Menegazzo struck the post and Chamakh again came close after more good work from Cavenaghi. However, Grenoble hit back with a sucker punch. A mistake by Bordeaux keeper Ulrich Rame let in Laurent Courtois. His shot cannoned back off the post to the feet of Cesar who simply nudged the ball into the net for the equaliser.

This goal seemed to knock the stuffing out of Bordeaux and the game ended 1-1. It would seem that Lyon’s strangle-hold over French football will continue for another season, but in Chamakh and Cavenaghi, Bordeaux have a pair of footballers that still could topple the perennial champions. Only time will tell.