System, workforce, state of mind… Why Sousa skates with Bordeaux?

• In the space of a few weeks, the Girondins went from the podium to 13th place in Ligue 1, passing two eliminations in the cup.
• The innovative system put in place by the Portuguese coach no longer poses any problem for his opponents and the quality of his squad remains very limited.
• He also seems to be wondering more and more about the Girondins' project and had a very bad experience with the elimination against Pau.

Is Pierre Ménès a black cat? In any case since his passage at CFC (Canal Football Club) where he received the praises of the star journalist of Canal + ("rarely been so impressed by a guest. What class, what content"), nothing is going well for Paulo Sousa and his team. Apart from a large victory against the penultimate of Ligue 1 (Nîmes, 6-0) and another against the 17th in Ligue 2 (Le Mans, 2-0) in the 32nd finals of the Coupe de France, the coach Portuguese has just linked with the Girondins six defeats in the last seven games.

Still on the championship podium before going to challenge OM at the Vélodrome on December 8, the Bordelais are now in 13th place six points behind Europe and eliminated from the two national cups. That is to say the collapse in the space of a month and a half. If Paulo Sousa had a lot to do with the very good results of the Marine et Blanc before this black series, he is now in the tough… Why?

• Because his game system no longer surprises anyone

It was the great strength of the Girondins at the start of the season. The establishment of a hybrid game system (3-4-2-1 in attack and 4-4-2) on which many championship teams have broken their teeth. The paw Paulo Sousa. If the big names (Paris, Lille or Marseille) often ended up finding the solution with their individualities, Bordeaux was able to garner a lot of points thanks to this tactical scheme. He was even often greeted by colleagues from the Portuguese and other consultants for several weeks.

More than the group's reaction, it’s that of Paulo Sousa that I am waiting for,
A real adaptation as more and more coaches begin to understand their system # FCGBRCSA

Problem, some ended up finding the parade: close the axis of the field, bring the lines together, put a player in the area where the system change takes place ... In short, this modular system no longer surprises anyone and the Girondins come from '' concede 12 goals in seven games. But despite this observation and the results which result from it, Paulo Sousa persists: "It is not a tactical or technical problem, it is a question of commitment, of state of mind", repeats he. Like many coaches, he seems ready to die with his ideas and principles. However, it will be necessary to find a solution very quickly with or without this system because otherwise the Bordeaux adventure could turn short.

🎙⚽️Small shot in good standing from @paulomcdsousa after the match: “When I got here everyone said to me: Bordeaux is Club Med! It has to change that. We have to develop another culture. Some believe they have already arrived. »👀 # Bordeaux #Girondins #FCGB

• Because its workforce is very limited qualitatively

If Paulo Sousa does not want to question his system, it is for two other reasons according to him: his players do not master a system then he will not teach them a second and he lacks "different profiles" to put other thing in place. Not false. But it is mainly a lack of quality. Almost 40 players may be under contract, but very little stands out and can pull the team up: "If my best players [Costil, Koscielny, Otavio or De Préville] are not all at their best, that quickly becomes very difficult for the team… ”, he summarizes.

Rémi Oudin in the Girondins' jersey. - NICOLAS TUCAT / AFP

Besides, his leitmotif has been simple for a month: "We have to strengthen the team to help it take the next step". He repeats it to whoever wants to hear it and in particular its leaders. The one who is still today the only person who escapes the criticism of the supporters puts the pressure and has just obtained in this sense the recruitment of Rémi Oudin. A first positive sign for him, but the Portuguese awaits above all an attacker of international level. It is his obsession even if Briand (five goals and one assist) and Maja (five goals and two assists) hold their rank.

• Because he himself seems to doubt the club's project

This is perhaps the most disturbing. How motivated is Paulo Sousa today? If he wants to be "always positive" even in difficult times, the former Fiorentina coach has regularly struggled recently to hide his concern, even his annoyance, facing the many extra-sporting problems of the club (owners and supporters) . As a whole person, the Portuguese, for example, admitted a few weeks ago "asking questions" about his future. His agent, he suggested that there was a clause in his contract that allowed him to leave the Girondins at any time.

Coupe de France: “Shame”, Paulo Sousa remains 1 minute in press conference after the elimination of the Girondins https://t.co/lxwwobJjaP via @ 20minutesBord pic.twitter.com/V4tw6qLbSG

Since the organization chart has been simplified with the departure of GACP but, like many, it does not seem to reassure by the medium or long term project of King Street, the owner of the club. Rémi Oudin's arrival is far from raising all his doubts. He awaits other acts. Pending better days, Paulo Sousa appeared for the first time since his arrival very marked after the pitiful elimination last Thursday in Pau. Touched but not yet lying.

Nantes

Death of Emiliano Sala: FC Nantes will pay tribute to the player at Nantes-Bordeaux

Sport

French Cup: “Shame”, Paulo Sousa remains 1 minute in press conference after the elimination of the Girondins

• Sport
• Soccer
• Bordeaux
• Aquitaine
• League 1
• Girondins de Bordeaux
• FC Nantes