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Benoit won the battle of the Cheyrou’s on Saturday, as Auxerre edged past Bordeaux thanks to a goal from Luigi Pieroni.
Les Girondins were looking to join Paris Saint-Germain at the top of the table, but they succumbed to their first loss since the appointment of Ricardo as boss in the summer. They are now one points behind Auxerre, who will be delighted to have followed up last weekend’s victory at Monaco with another success.
On the day that the Burgundy side announced the loan signing of Peguy Luyindula, the Auxerre fans were given more to celebrate in the evening. They produced a solid defensive performance, while Benjani and Pieroni – given a rare chance to play together in attack – posed a constant menace.
The key moment in the game arrived nine minutes before the interval, as an intuitive lob from Belgian international Pieroni proved too good for Ulrich Ramé, who had wandered carelessly off his line. Jacques Santini’s side almost doubled their lead in the minutes that followed, first Johan Radet having a stinging drive pushed to safety by Ramé, then Pieroni striking an acrobatic shot against the post.
Lionel Mathis replaced Pieroni in the second half, as Santini looked to tighten the game up. Auxerre used the ball well when in possession, then succeeded in denying Bordeaux space when they lost it.
Bordeaux midfielder Bruno Cheyrou was largely upstaged by his hard-working younger brother, and the visitors rarely looked like registering a goal. Their best chance arrived in stoppage time when Vladimir Smicer fired a cross-shot wide of Fabien Cool’s goal.
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