Bordeaux coach Laurent Blanc is thrilled to see his team's pre-season preparations go exactly according to plan.

The French champions have won four and drawn one of their six pre-season matches, their only slip-up coming against Gironde neighbours Toulouse.

They have beaten the likes of Marseille, their expected title rivals in Ligue 1, and Spanish side Villarreal while a 2-0 victory over Guingamp in Montreal saw them retain the Trophee des Champions.

Blanc has the air of a satisfied man heading into the weekend, the first in the new Ligue 1 campaign.

"The preparation went just as we expected - the staff have been very demanding with the lads, who have responded well," he told Bordeaux's official club website www.girondins.com.

"Now we are going to focus our minds on the first match of the season (against Lens on Sunday).

"If the team play in the championship as they have in the preparation matches, we can expect a good season."

Bordeaux are looking to defend the Ligue 1 crown they won last season, their first in 10 years and sixth in their history.