Bordeaux grab Champions League boost

Bordeaux warmed up for their crucial Champions League clash with AS Roma with a 2-1 win over Valenciennes on Friday which moved them into third place in the French first division.

Bordeaux will tackle the Italians in Rome on Tuesday knowing a win in their final Group A clash will give them a place in the knockout round.

Moroccan striker Marouane Chamakh headed his side into a 34th-minute lead on Friday from a free-kick from Wendel.

However, rock-bottom Valenciennes deservedly levelled three minutes from the break when Gregory Pujol hit the target from Johan Audel's cross which Bordeaux goalkeeper Mathieu Valverde could not keep out.

Bordeaux composed themselves after the interval and Fernando Cavenaghi found the net in the 46th minute with what proved to be the winner after the Valenciennes defence failed to clear a fierce Yoann Gourcoff drive.

The visitors were unfortunate not to take home a share of the points but watched in agony as a header from Rafael came back off the post just before the hour mark.

Laurent Blanc's side held on to move into third place, five points behind leaders Lyon who travel to Nantes on Saturday.