Blanc the toast of Bordeaux

FC Girondins de Bordeaux coach Laurent Blanc insists it is too early to talk about the title, but it is something he is having to grow accustomed to.

Inspired Bordeaux
Less than two months into his first season as a coach, Blanc's Bordeaux sit second in Ligue 1 - one point off leaders AS Nancy-Lorraine - after defeating Paris Saint-Germain FC 2-0 on Sunday. Blanc finished his playing career at Manchester United FC four years ago, and opted to wait before moving into coaching. That patience is clearly paying off as an inspired Bordeaux proved too strong for PSG at the Parc des Princes.

'Great atmosphere'
Johan Micoud opened the scoring with his 50th top-flight goal after ten minutes before striker David Bellion made sure of the points with his sixth of the season early in the second half, much to the pleasure of his 41-year-old coach. "So far this season we hadn't started matches very well but the Paris game showed we have improved a lot," Blanc said. "Nevertheless there is still a lot to do. I'm lucky to work with these players. There is a great atmosphere, and hard work as well."

Good start
Bordeaux are also going well in the UEFA Cup, kicking off with a 3-2 win in the first leg of their first-round tie away to Tampere United last Thursday. "We're a team without problems and because of that we can express ourselves," said Micoud, who struck late into added time in Finland. Things have not always been so good for Blanc, a Les Bleus legend, who replaced Ricardo Gomes over the summer. The former defender clashed publicly with president Jean-Louis Triaud over player signings before midfielder Alou Diarra and defender Souleymane Diawara were brought in. "I don't know whether it will be enough for us to challenge for a UEFA Champions League place this season but we'll make do," Blanc said.

'Twists and turns'
With Lyon struggling and fellow heavyweights Olympique de Marseille and PSG also off the boil, they could soon be aiming higher than that. Just do not mention it to Blanc. "Don't speak to me about the title, we're not a quarter of the way through the league yet," he said. "There will be some twists and turns, believe me. We have enough on our plates just focusing on the next game." That comes on Wednesday, when Bordeaux kick off their League Cup defence at home to FC Metz.