The arrival of the Chelsea FC bus provoked a frenzied reaction outside the Stade Chaban-Delmas on Wednesday as scores of excited young French fans tried to catch a glimpse of the star names they only usually see on television. Once the action began, however, it quickly became apparent that the one true class act in this game was wearing an FC Girondins de Bordeaux shirt.

Sublime skill
Yoann Gourcuff's silky touches tormented the visitors and thrilled the home support all evening. Cries of 'Ole!' rang out when the 22-year-old lifted the ball over John Mikel Obi and darted past John Terry, prompting a reaction from the Blues' skipper for which he was booked. In a stadium where Zinédine Zidane used to strut his stuff, comparisons between the two mercurial playmakers are inevitable, and Gourcuff's sublime piece of skill on 27 minutes triggered memories of the former France captain. The Brittany-born player was grace itself as he pirouetted between two tackles before seeing his dangerous shot saved.

Point to prove
Gourcuff is on a season-long loan from AC Milan, and many experts are wondering why the Rossoneri let him leave. Bordeaux have an option to sign him for €15m in the summer and, so long as the player agrees to a permanent move, the money will surely be raised. After a promising debut season in Serie A, Gourcuff was bitterly disappointed not to have been given more matches last season and feels he has a point to prove to Milan boss Carlo Ancelotti. He has already scored one fine goal against AS Roma this term and will be extremely motivated on his return to Italy for the crucial Group A decider in the capital on 9 December.

Historic win?
With Bordeaux just a win away from qualifying for the last 16 of the UEFA Champions League for the first time, the scene is set perfectly for France's rising star to shine. What do you think will happen? Does Gourcuff have what it takes for fire Laurent Blanc's side to a historic victory, or will Roma prove too strong?