On the surface this is a special period in the history of Bordeaux, taking them back 25 years to their zenith when Alain Giresse and Jean Tigana were midfielders to marvel and the city was famous for something more than wine.
When a Juventus side, featuring their compatriot Michel Platini, ended their European Cup dream in the semi-finals in 1985, Laurent Blanc was making his name as a young defender at Montpellier.
Now he is the coach of Les Girondins and suggests they can match - maybe even surpass - the past feat of Bordeaux's legendary side.
Six successive victories in the Champions League have gained Europe's attention and, after their 1-0 win in Greece, the return leg against Olympiakos tonight should seal a quarter-final place.
The anticipation of what lies ahead for the French champions has been tempered by the worrying prospect that this campaign could well be the final hurrah for Blanc. He is favourite to replace Raymond Domenech as the manager of France after this summer's World Cup and will be on the radar of any elite club looking for a new coach. He has also been deemed heir apparent to Sir Alex Ferguson at Manchester United.
Regardless of Blanc's plans, there will be a significant change on the pitch this summer.
Marouane Chamakh, who has been their focus up front, has already confirmed he will leave, with the Premier League his preferred destination and Arsenal the likely home.
If Blanc and Chamakh both depart it might be a struggle for Bordeaux to keep hold of playmaker Youann Gourcuff.
Blanc has said he will not discuss the France link for the rest of the season, but the man known as Le President when he was an integral part of the French side that won the World Cup in 1998 and European Championship two years later, was always planning to rule at the very top.
Coaching was part of his thoughts in his final two years as a player, with United from 2001 to 2003.
"I have notebooks dedicated to ideas and ways of managing that I took from my two years in Manchester, which I'm using at Bordeaux," he said.
It has worked so far. Beating Juventus and Bayern Munich in the group stage highlighted the confidence and quality that should be too much for Olympiakos, who have not won an away Champions League tie since 2007.
"We need to savour what we've achieved so far, play with the quality we have, try to minimise our weaknesses, and, above all, play with the same desire we've shown since the beginning of this competition," said Blanc.
"In a cup competition, and even the Champions League, a lot of things can happen. The last four teams are often the same and you can name them in advance, but there could be a surprise."
Bordeaux could be the one, although Lomana LuaLua has extra incentive to stop them. The striker has two months to show he is worthy of a new contract with Olympiakos. LuaLua returned to Greece in January after leaving in 2008 for Al Arabi in Qatar, and now feels he should never have left the club.
That might be something for Blanc and others to consider when they weigh up their options.
Although the Greeks need to score twice at the Stade Chaban-Delmas, Olof Mellberg, their Swedish defender, said they are a full of self belief.
"We must not succumb to fate," he said. "We can use the second leg to recover. We have to score a goal and we believe in our chances to go through."
@Email:akhan@thenational.ae
How to protect yourself when air quality drops
Install an air filter in your home.
Close your windows and turn on the AC.
Shower or bath after being outside.
Wear a face mask.
Stay indoors when conditions are particularly poor.
If driving, turn your engine off when stationary.
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Vidaamuyarchi
Director: Magizh Thirumeni
Stars: Ajith Kumar, Arjun Sarja, Trisha Krishnan, Regina Cassandra
Rating: 4/5
The biog
Born: Kuwait in 1986
Family: She is the youngest of seven siblings
Time in the UAE: 10 years
Hobbies: audiobooks and fitness: she works out every day, enjoying kickboxing and basketball
Day 2, stumps
Pakistan 482
Australia 30/0 (13 ov)
Australia trail by 452 runs with 10 wickets remaining in the innings
The specs
AT4 Ultimate, as tested
Engine: 6.2-litre V8
Power: 420hp
Torque: 623Nm
Transmission: 10-speed automatic
Price: From Dh330,800 (Elevation: Dh236,400; AT4: Dh286,800; Denali: Dh345,800)
On sale: Now
How to watch Ireland v Pakistan in UAE
When: The one-off Test starts on Friday, May 11
What time: Each day’s play is scheduled to start at 2pm UAE time.
TV: The match will be broadcast on OSN Sports Cricket HD. Subscribers to the channel can also stream the action live on OSN Play.
The Pope's itinerary
Sunday, February 3, 2019 - Rome to Abu Dhabi
1pm: departure by plane from Rome / Fiumicino to Abu Dhabi
10pm: arrival at Abu Dhabi Presidential Airport
Monday, February 4
12pm: welcome ceremony at the main entrance of the Presidential Palace
12.20pm: visit Abu Dhabi Crown Prince at Presidential Palace
5pm: private meeting with Muslim Council of Elders at Sheikh Zayed Grand Mosque
6.10pm: Inter-religious in the Founder's Memorial
Tuesday, February 5 - Abu Dhabi to Rome
9.15am: private visit to undisclosed cathedral
10.30am: public mass at Zayed Sports City – with a homily by Pope Francis
12.40pm: farewell at Abu Dhabi Presidential Airport
1pm: departure by plane to Rome
5pm: arrival at the Rome / Ciampino International Airport
Last 10 NBA champions
2017: Golden State bt Cleveland 4-1
2016: Cleveland bt Golden State 4-3
2015: Golden State bt Cleveland 4-2
2014: San Antonio bt Miami 4-1
2013: Miami bt San Antonio 4-3
2012: Miami bt Oklahoma City 4-1
2011: Dallas bt Miami 4-2
2010: Los Angeles Lakers bt Boston 4-3
2009: Los Angeles Lakers bt Orlando 4-1
2008: Boston bt Los Angeles Lakers 4-2
Director: Laxman Utekar
Cast: Vicky Kaushal, Akshaye Khanna, Diana Penty, Vineet Kumar Singh, Rashmika Mandanna
Rating: 1/5
More on Quran memorisation:
Crops that could be introduced to the UAE
1: Quinoa
2. Bathua
3. Amaranth
4. Pearl and finger millet
5. Sorghum
THE SPECS
Engine: 6.75-litre twin-turbocharged V12 petrol engine
Power: 420kW
Torque: 780Nm
Transmission: 8-speed automatic
Price: From Dh1,350,000
On sale: Available for preorder now
More from Neighbourhood Watch:
COMPANY PROFILE
Name: Almnssa
Started: August 2020
Founder: Areej Selmi
Based: Gaza
Sectors: Internet, e-commerce
Investments: Grants/private funding
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The specs
Engine: 4.0-litre flat-six
Torque: 450Nm at 6,100rpm
Transmission: 7-speed PDK auto or 6-speed manual
Fuel economy, combined: 13.8L/100km
On sale: Available to order now
The Brutalist
Director: Brady Corbet
Stars: Adrien Brody, Felicity Jones, Guy Pearce, Joe Alwyn
Rating: 3.5/5
