Group A Kick-off: 19:45 (BST)
Laurent Blanc has urged the Bordeaux supporters to turn out in force for the visit of Maccabi haifa, a game he sees as “the biggest game” in the club’s Group A campaign.
The Israeli champions arrived in France “full of optimism”, according to coach Elisha Levy, but without any points after losing 3-0 at home to Bayern Munich on Matchday 1.
“We have prepared as well as we could even despite playing on Sunday evening,” said Blanc. “We will try to recover well to be ready, and I think we will be. Of course we don’t know the Haifa team as well as we know Bayern or Juventus, but we will explain their team, their tactical system and their individual talents to the side.
“Everybody knows that Juve and Bayern are the group favourites, and Bordeaux and Maccabi will compete to take points from each other. As far as we know Haifa play very technical football, not too physical, but they are quick and gifted. We will have to control them, offer the best we have and make the most of their weaknesses.
“For me this is our biggest game. This is an appeal to the public, I want a full stadium for this magnificent competition. I want to take three points, as we must do for all our home games. As for our ambition in the Champions League, it has to be higher than last year.
Meanwhile, Elisha Levy, coach of Maccabi, said his team was in a confident frame of mind ahead of tonight’s game.
“It will be a difficult game but we arrive full of optimism and will fight until the last minute,” he said.
“We’ll have a video session to finalise our preparations as we only left Israel on Tuesday because of Yom Kippur, but this isn’t as bad as you think. We got a direct flight to Bordeaux and the players have had time to rest; we’ll be ready for the match.
“We have a mix of players, and will expect the older ones to help the younger ones. We don’t have a specific plan for Gourcuff or Chamakh; we’re going to play our own game.
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