Bordeaux boss Blanc ready to send ‘B-team’ to ease congestion

(GSM) – Bordeaux coach Laurent Blanc has revealed he is prepared to send his B team to play a delayed Coupe de la Ligue semi-final next week after the French League turned down his request to ease the crowded calendar.

Blanc unsuccessfully asked officials to move a Ligue 1 match against Auxerre on February 20 forward by a day to allow his players an extra day to prepare for a Champions League second-round tie at Olympiakos on February 23.

The French champions must also play a semi-final at Lorient on February 17 and Blanc told a news conference on Monday: “I am ready to send the B team. We are going to play four matches over 10 days.”

Bordeaux are currently top of the Ligue 1 table, though Montpellier closed the gap to three points after they won and les Girondins lost 4-2 to Stade Rennes at the weekend.