Blanc concerned by Bordeaux condition

FC Girondins de Bordeaux and Galatasaray AŞ both go into the first leg of their UEFA Cup Round of 32 tie on Wednesday keen to put recent domestic blues behind them.

Slips
Bordeaux's Ligue 1 title bid has faltered in recent weeks and their 1-1 home draw against Grenoble Foot 38 on Saturday took their winless streak to three games and dropped them from second to fifth place. Meanwhile, Galatasaray were overcome 1-0 at Antalyaspor, leaving them with four points from as many games since the winter break, in which time Sivasspor have also knocked them out of the Turkish Cup.

Blanc worry
Bordeaux coach Laurent Blanc rested playmaker Yoann Gourcuff at the weekend, hinting at a "lack of freshness which can be extended to the whole team". Gourcuff is available for the first leg on Wednesday, although striker David Bellion is doubtful with a groin problem and the coach is frustrated with his side's jaded appearance in recent games. Blanc said: "We have not done what we wanted simply because our fitness has not allowed us."

Skibbe hope
Galatasaray, playing their 50th UEFA Cup fixture, have had injury concerns of late but can now welcome back midfielders Harry Kewell and Hasan Şaş as well as playmaker Lincoln, suspended against Antalyaspor. There are still worries about defender Volkan Yaman due to a fractured thumb, midfielder Tobias Linderoth with a groin problem and Hakan Balta because of a thigh injury, but coach Michael Skibbe believes his side find special inspiration in Europe. "Our displays have been so different in the UEFA Cup this year that we have played at a higher level," he said. "We want to repeat what we did previously and play at a totally different plane against Bordeaux."