Montpellier´s Bocaly sinks Bordeaux

A second half goal from Montpellier defender Garry Bocaly handed Jean Tigana his first defeat as new Bordeaux coach as the 2009 champions fell 1-0 in their Ligue 1 opener on Sunday.

Bordeaux, having lost coach Laurent Blanc to the France national job, had high hopes of a strong start under former French star Tigana after finishing sixth last time out.

But they suffered their first loss in a season opener in six years as they failed to find their way past a side which had not beaten them at home for 13 years.

Montpellier, still smarting after their Europa League elimination midweek to Hugarian side Gyor, made most of the early running with striker Olivier Giroud missing a chance after four minutes when his header flew over the bar.

It was then the turn of new recruit Marco Estrada, with the Chilean international seeing a 35-metre drive saved by goalkeeper Kevin Olimpa.

But back after the break Bocaly made no mistake and found the net with a header after finishing off an Estrada freekick from the penalty area.

Three minutes later Bordeaux had a freekick chance which Wendel took only for Montpellier ‘keeper Geoffrey Jourdren to receive an acrobatic kick in the face from Yohann Gourcuff as he moved out to catch the ball.

That led to a scuffle between a dozen players from both teams.

French champions Marseille also slumped to a shock defeat on Saturday as they fell to promoted Caen as Paris Saint Germain got off to a flying start to sit top.

Marseille landed their first title since 1992 last term but Didier Deschamps’ side were reeling after falling 2-1 at home to the Normandy side.

Nicolas Seube gave Caen the lead after 53 minutes at the Stade Velodrome.

Deschamps made two quick substitutions with Mamadou Samassa coming on for Andre Ayew and Hatem Ben Arfa replacing Mathieu Valbuena, and the strategy initially paid off with Samassa equalising after 77 minutes.

But Youssef El Arabi fired in through the legs of goalkeeper Steve Mandanda four minutes from time to give Caen the three points.

“Caen did what they had to do,” said Deschamps, whose pre-season preparations had been hampered by top scorer Mamadou Niang’s desire to leave for Fenerbahce.

“We tried to prepare the best way, but a lot of the players are not at the same level. There are also things happening off the pitch, but this is not an excuse.”

Lyon, last season’s runners-up, were held to a goalless draw at home to Monaco, as Auxerre, third last time out, were held 2-2 at home by Lorient.

Paris Saint Germain were 3-1 winners against visiting St Etienne to give the side from the capital hope of success after a poor 2009/2010 campaign when they finished 13th.

The French Cup winners hit the ground running against St Etienne, who finished 17th last season.

Not even a half-empty stadium, rain and pre-match clashes between police and fans which resulted in 246 arrests could dampen Parisian spirits as Mevlut Erding netted the first goal of the season after just five minutes.

Dimitri Payet grabbed the equaliser after 39 minutes, only for Stephane Sessegnon to put the hosts ahead again three minutes later. Brazilian striker Nene added the third after 82 minutes.