Bordeaux vs Evian Thonon Gaillard preview - Carrasso expects Bordeaux reaction

Posted Thursday, September 18, 2014 by PA

Goalkeeper Cedric Carrasso claims it is imperative for the sake of their season's ambitions that Bordeaux beat Evian on Friday.

Former France defender Willy Sagnol took over as manager of Bordeaux in the summer and a flying start to their campaign saw the team earn 10 points from their opening four Ligue 1 games.

Then came a jolt, with Sunday's 2-1 defeat at Guingamp, but five days later Les Girondins have the chance to return to winning ways, with a fixture against the league's bottom-placed side.

Bordeaux finished seventh in the French top flight last season but expectations have risen for this campaign, and Carrasso wants to see a reaction to the Guingamp loss when Evian come to the Stade Chaban-Delmas.

"Guingamp gave us the match we needed. We wanted to play too quickly and we weren't able to manage our emotions, it's a shame," Carrasso told the club's official website.

"A defeat always teaches you a lesson. We've made a very good start in the league and a defeat should be automatically followed by a victory in the next match.

"We should react after each disappointing performance if we want to look to the top places in the table. The match against Guingamp has gone, we are concentrating on the next match."

Carrasso recognises the Evian game is an opportunity to trigger some momentum and went on to say: "Yes of course but the opponent is only of small importance. It's up to us to produce a good performance."

He added: "If we want to stay in the upper reaches of the league, we have to continue to work well. We have to prepare for this match in the best way possible. The most important thing is that we will produce. We have to react and win this match."

Evian beat the drop last season but have just one point in five games so far this term, shipping 13 goals already.

Marseille made the breakthrough after just 20 seconds in a 3-1 win over Evian last weekend, before the lowly opposition had touched the ball.

Evian boss Pascal Dupraz said at a press conference ahead of the long cross-country trip to Bordeaux: "The facts are clear: we have taken one point from 15 and the man responsible is in front of you.

"We have to continue to work and close ranks to try to get out of this bad spell."

Dupraz added, according to his club's website: "I don't feel in danger. Nobody wants me dead. This isn't war either.

"I am facing up to my responsibilities which are numerous and I'm fronting up.

"I'm going to do everything I can to put things right, so that we play better together. There is no imminent danger."