By Patrick Vignal
PARIS, Sept 20 - Girondins Bordeaux have promised
to recover from a sluggish start to the season and the lesson
they were taught by Chelsea in the Champions League in midweek
when they visit promoted Grenoble in Ligue 1 on Saturday.
"We have no other option than to react straight away and we
must do it at Grenoble," France playmaker Yoann Gourcuff told
reporters after Bordeaux were crushed 4-0 by Chelsea at Stamford
Bridge in their first Group A game on Tuesday.
Bordeaux had started the season full of hope after finishing
runners-up in Ligue 1 last term and challenging champions
Olympique Lyon until the final weekend.
They have failed to live up to expectations so far and have
lost two league matches out of five, not to mention their
bruising encounter with Premier League Chelsea.
A trip to Grenoble, back in the top flight for the first
time in 45 years, may not seem daunting but Bordeaux travel to
the club based in the French Alps city knowing their opponents
have made a strong start with three wins out of five games.
SURPRISE PACKAGE
Grenoble are a surprising fourth, three points behind
leaders Lyon and three ahead of 10th-placed Bordeaux.
Lyon, who recovered from 2-0 down to force a 2-2 draw at
home to Fiorentina in the Champions League on Wednesday and
needed a late penalty to beat Nice 3-2 last weekend, also face a
promoted side when they visit Le Havre on Saturday.
Olympique Marseille, who are in second place two points off
the pace and the only side undefeated so far along with Lyon,
will not be in action until Sunday when they host Monaco.
The former European champions have been in impressive form
so far but squandered many chances in the 2-1 home defeat by
Liverpool in the the Champions League on Tuesday.
Paris St Germain, who narrowly escaped relegation last
season, have reassured fans with their start and are in third
place, three points off the pace.
The club from the capital, who look much stronger since the
arrival of former France midfielders Claude Makelele and Ludovic
Giuly, travel to troubled St Etienne on Sunday.
St Etienne, who have won a record 10 French titles, are
third from bottom after losing four matches from five.
(Editing by Padraic Halpin)