Bordeaux break cautious Hearts

Hearts (0) 0 Bordeaux (1) 2
Agg: 1-2

The experience of Bordeaux triumphed over the hope of Hearts at Tynecastle last night. After flying high on the wings of victory in the first leg came the reality of a hard landing as the visitors taught their Scottish hosts a lesson in stout defending, and razor-sharp attacking. The fact that Hearts began the evening with so much hope made failure all the more painful.
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Fatal shot: Albert Riera watches his 30-yard drive beat Hearts' goalkeeper Craig Gordon

As surprised as Hearts were to be driving this second-leg after the 1-0 triumph in Bordeaux a fortnight ago, manager Craig Levein relished the chance to pit his wits from a leading position. "Never did I ever imagine that the dilemma after the fist leg would be whether to defend a lead or go for the kill," reflected the Hearts manager in his pre-match notes.

As it transpired, Levein's approach was characterised by caution rather than the cavalier of Hearts' usual attacking game. Subsequently, Phil Stamp was welcomed back from injury to a five strong midfield, with Mark de Vries - the goal hero in Bordeaux - ploughing a solitary furrow up front.

With 17,000 packed into Tynecastle there was that special European atmosphere, heightened by a crowd quite literally at arms' length from the touchlines, and amplified by the surround sound fulminating from the steep stands.

And then, with one sweeping stroke, all was quiet. A poor pass from Hearts' own Frenchman, Jean-Louis Valois gifted Bordeaux possession, and Albert Riera's 30-yard drive into the top right corner left Craig Gordon stranded, and the home hordes silenced.

This was not meant to have happened, especially after only eight minutes. Mistakes on the pitch led to misgivings off it that Levein had called his tactics wrong. With just one forward, and scarce supply from a cluttered midfield it really did look as though the Hearts' manager had erred on the side of caution.

The home wounds almost became deeper in the 25th minute, but the crossbar saved the home side from another long-range missile, this time launched by Jean-Claude Darcheville.

Moments later it was the post which prevented the visitors from taking an aggregate lead when Pascal Feinduono flashed a shot wide.

Bordeaux were slick and smooth, Hearts were harried and hurried, and the frantic frustration of it all was felt on the interval when Stamp's poke into the far corner was rightly ruled offside, De Vries having strayed into no-man's-land.

As expected, Hearts reshuffled at half-time, with Neil MacFarlane making way for Stephen Simmons in the hope of driving the midfield forward. He made his presence felt, receiving a caution for his robustness.

At last, there was some vigour to Hearts play. Stamp pushed forward, making De Vries less conspicuous as the lone forward, and for once there was a real sense of purpose. However, Bordeaux are old hands at this game, and kept their heads and, more importantly, possession.

And with Hearts surging forward, the French dealt their hosts a crushing blow. With an assassin's killer-instinct, Feindouno finished a lightning break with a placed shot to Gordon's right.

Playing for no more than pride, Hearts persevered, but the difference between the sides was there for all to see. On the night, the Scots were outpassed and outclassed.


Taken telegraph.co.uk/sport