After a break from the Coupe de France materialized by a crazy 6-4 victory in Chambéry (N3) for a qualification in the 32nd final against the reigning French champion, Lille (Saturday, December 18), at the Pierre-Mauroy stadium, the AJA (5th, 29 points) returns to the championship this Saturday at l’Abbé-Deschamps (3 p.m., 17th day L2) against Caen (18th, 17 points).
Almost two weeks after a sluggish performance in Dijon, concluded with a 3-1 defeat in the Burgundy derby, the Auxerrois must resume their march forward after the results of the competitors the day before: victorious, Sochaux (3rd, 31 points) and Paris FC (4th, 30 points) passed in front of the icaunais club, which was on the podium before this 17th day. A success of two goals apart would even allow the Ajaïstes to pass AC Ajaccio (2nd, 32 points) thanks to a better attack.
The Puskás prize for the most beautiful goal of the year, “a source of pride” for Gauthier Hein
He could receive more applause than the others when he entered the field against Caen this Saturday: Gauthier Hein savored his new notoriety since Monday and the announcement of his selection against 10 other players to win the FIFA prize Puskás for the most beautiful goal of the year 2021. “It’s something huge for me, it’s a source of pride” blows the 25-year-old winger, author of a spectacular roulette in Niort last season in April, and who has already been chambered by his teammates in the locker room. “They call me Puskás (laughs)!”
His chances of becoming the second Habs to be crowned with this distinction after Olivier Giroud in 2017? “Pfffff, I don’t know, there are still a lot of people in front of me. I’m counting on the Auxerrois and those who will vote for me!” And to vote, type “Huh”. Finally, “1”, here. You have until December 17th!
Such a selection for such a prestigious price, “it’s rewarding for the whole club” considers the icaunais coach Jean-Marc Furlan, who admits that the goal of his player “is fantastic, particularly spectacular”.
Hit in the ankle, Birama Touré finally retained in the group
The AJA community held its breath when they saw Birama Touré not participate in training on Thursday. Hit in the left ankle, “a sprain” said the Ajaïste coach in a press conference the day before the match, the AJA captain finally held his place on Friday, with good strapping. He should be on guard against Caen. Alexandre Coeff, aligned in Chambéry in the Coupe de France after a month of absence, could replace him in the middle if necessary.
The infirmary empties, competition increases, and as a result, defenders Alec Georgen and Paul Joly, midfielder Aly Ndom and striker Lassine Sinayoko were not selected. No longer appeared in the group for a month, goalkeeper Sonny Laiton once again leaves his place to Théo De Percin.
Caen in the hard
18th and barrage after the multiplex matches on Friday, Caen has the obligation to make a result in the Yonne. Stéphane Moulin’s men, pitifully eliminated as soon as they entered the Coupe de France by Dinan-Léhon, a N3 club, have not won a match for nearly two months, i.e. three draws and three defeats (worst series in progress of L2 with QRM), and have remained silent in the face of goal during the last three matches (again the worst series in progress in the elite’s antechamber).
But beware. Auxerre won only one of his seven games against Malherbe in L2 (three draws, three defeats), in November 2013 at Abbé-Deschamps (3-2). Above all, Caen is undefeated in his last five league trips (a 3-2 victory over the leader Toulouse and three draws). And Caen goalkeeper Rémy Riou, who worked for AJA (2007-2011), is the goalkeeper who made the most saves in Ligue 2 this season (49). The Auxerre have been warned.