Bordeaux boss Francis Gillot said his side’s Europa League opener with Belgian side Club Brugge is a must-win encounter.
The Frenchman believes the Belgian First Division outfit will be a difficult side to beat and will come to Stade Chaban-Delmas with a defensive approach.
Bordeaux are competing in Group D and, alongside Club Brugge, face tricky clashes with Premier League side Newcastle United and Maritimo of Portugal.
“From what I’ve seen of the Belgian team, I’m pretty sure it will be the same kind of game comparing the one against Belgrade at home,” former Lens and Sochaux boss Gillot said.
“I saw them against Copenhagen in Champions league qualifying, they were very disciplined, 4-5-1, so quite a defensive team. We must find a way to break them down and score because they will sit back and it won’t be easy to move them.”
Gillot said a win would go a long way to securing passage to the knockout stage, with the coach suggesting three wins or the equivalent would be needed from six matches.
“We don t have the choice, we have to win tomorrow and take all three points at home,” he said.
“They (Brugge) are strong enough, they are unbeaten in their league, let’s be careful, start well and take full points at home.
“I think to qualify we would need nine or 10 points, we can’t lose points or time, we must do whatever it takes to win this one.”
