Auxerre catches Rennes and temporarily leaves the red zone
More than ever, Auxerre can believe in its chances of maintenance. The Burgundians, who remained on three draws and two victories in Ligue 1, chained a sixth meeting without defeat in L1, on the occasion of the reception of Rennes to Abbé Deschamps (0-0), this Saturday, during the 27th day. This result allows AJA to take 16th place and temporarily leave the red zone, which it had frequented continuously between the 15th and 24th days. But Strasbourg and Ajaccio, or even possibly Troyes, who are all playing this Sunday, could all go back to Auxerre if successful.
In the meantime, Christophe Pelissier’s players may harbor regrets, because throughout the game, and especially in the first half, they largely dominated their opponents: despite low ball possession (31% ), they indeed shot 12 times on goal (against 7 for Rennes). Well organized tactically, leaving little space in the middle and very voluntary in the duels, the Auxerrois thus obtained several dangerous opportunities, but they showed a certain awkwardness in the last gesture, since none of their attempt was finally framed: Gauthier Hein touched the bar (18th), before missing the opposite skylight (25th), Isaak Touré saw his header go slightly above (67th), while Nuno Da Costa shot wide (77th).
As for the Rennais, they confirmed their current limits, they who had previously conceded three defeats in their last five outings in L1. Apathetic in the first period, they proved to be more voluntary then, under the impetus of the players who entered at the break, namely Birger Meling and Flavien Tait, in place respectively of a Djed Spence in great difficulty and the disappointing Arnaud Kalimuendo. Technically superior, the Bretons then raised their level of play, but Andrei Radu captured the attempts of Baptiste Santamaria (55th) and Lovro Majer (63rd) well. And when the Romanian goalkeeper of AJA was beaten, he was replaced by Jubal, who repelled the strike from Tait (66th).
Three crucial matches ahead for Auxerre
At the end of this meeting, Bruno Genesio’s team retains its fifth place, but Nice could come back to only one point if they succeed in Nantes this Sunday. On the Auxerre side, beyond the short-term results of their rivals, the future in Ligue 1 of the Burgundians will undoubtedly be decided over the next three days, during which they will face three direct opponents: they will go to Strasbourg on March 19, before receiving Troyes on April 1 and moving to Ajaccio on April 9.
