In a fiery atmosphere, this Friday at the Abbé-Deschamps stadium in Auxerre, the FCSM lost the wrong match. Sochaux will not return to Ligue One this season by the dams. The yellow and blue were beaten on penalties 5-4. In an aimless but spirited encounter, the two teams failed to decide in the game after regulation time and extra time. AJA qualified after the penalty shootout.
550 Sochaux supporters against 17,000 Auxerre fans
The 550 Sochaux supporters seemed to make as much noise as the 17,000 AJA supporters. The yellow and blue dominated the first half without creating any real chances.
Auxerre, tense, initially seemed a little paralyzed by the challenge. In the 34th minute, a very good opportunity for the FCSM. A header from Kalulu finds the post, the ball picked up by Weissbeck goes into the air. But the Burgundians then take the insurance. Two minutes from the break, a poor clearance from Do Couto led to a dangerous free kick, taken by Hein, which lands fortunately in the small net.
Sochaux struggling in the second half
The second period is more difficult for Sochaux. In a tight and tense game, the Auxerrois are increasing in intensity, while the yellow and blue have to dip into their reserves, they who played a first play-off match four days earlier. The FCSM suffers. And regulation time ends with a score of 0 everywhere. Both teams have to go through extra time. Sochaux continues to suffer but holds firm. Steve Ambri, well served by Kitala, misses a great opportunity just before the break. Despite the fatigue, the yellow and blue hold until the end but the penalty shootout will be fatal to them.
Unhappy Kitala
Auxerre goalkeeper Donovan Léon stops Kitala’s shot. The former Lorient player is cursed at Abbé Deschamps, who had seriously injured himself in this stadium two years earlier. On the FCSM side, Maxence Prévot fails to deflect the slightest opposing attempt. It was Touré, the Auxerre captain, who finally converted the last shot on goal and qualified his team.
The adventure of the dams ends, the Sochaux supporters are disappointed. They will find their team again in Ligue 2 at the end of July. Auxerre continues on its way and will face the 18th in Ligue U, Metz or St Etienne, in a double confrontation Thursday and next Sunday to hope to find the elite ten years after having left it.