Blanc hopeful that Bordeaux have learnt their lessons

Bordeaux coach Laurent Blanc is hoping his team has come a long way in just three months as they bid to reach the Champions League knock-out stages.

The French title runners-up play AS Roma at the Stadio Olimpico on Tuesday knowing they need to win or face elimination from Europe's premier club competition.

And Blanc is banking on his side having learnt the lessons of their inauspicious beginning to this competition back in September when they lost 4-0 at Chelsea before going down 3-1 at home to Roma.

“In the Champions League you have to learn fast and I hope that we've learnt very fast because (the) Chelsea (defeat) wasn't so long ago,” he said.

“If we want to give ourselves the best chance possible we're going to have to show that we can create the chances to win.

“We have to show that we've learnt from the weaknesses we had against Chelsea, show that those are behind us and that we can play to our potential. We're going to need to.”

Roma only need a point to ensure they go through and could even progress with defeat, in the unlikely event that Chelsea lose at home to Romanian minnows CFR Cluj.

But Blanc is not surprised that the Italians' coach Luciano Spalletti said his team would be playing to win.

“That's not a surprise. They want to win the group, that's normal. It's a good thing for us because Roma like to sit back and hit you on the counter attack,” added the former Inter Milan, Barcelona, Manchester United and Marseille defender.

“Also I don't think they will throw the kitchen sink at us, they've got a new system that is bringing them results.

“And they have some players who are great on the counter. They're not going to sit back and defend but they're going to keep their shape and not charge forward from the first minute.”

Blanc is also realistic enough to know that this match won't be easy and if they manage to win, it will be a close run affair.

“If we manage to achieve our objective it will be 1-0 or 2-1, that's why we have to defend well,” he said.

“We're going to keep things tight but I'm not going to stick 10 men behind the ball.

“Everyone has to play well defensively and as long as the score remains 0-0 that will be good for us because the biggest mistake would be to think we have to charge forward.

“We're not going to wait for them but you can't put your head in the lion's mouth either. If Roma open the scoring, that will be a disaster.”