Before the match, Christophe Pélissier admitted that two successes over the last four days would be enough for AJA to return to Ligue 1. Thanks to a convincing success in Dunkirk (3-1), his players made half of the path. However, they did not control everything, finding themselves trailing after 20 minutes before finally realizing their actions from the hour mark.
At that moment, the Icaunais found themselves trailing against the run of play since a calm goal from young Gessime Yassine (0-1, 20th). However, they had the shots to open the score, then come back but wasted them or came up against a great Mohamed Koné (see below).
14
Auxerre attempted 14 shots in the first half without ever finding the fault. Dunkirk only needed one to open the scoring.
But by dint of reciting their score, maintaining the pressure and accentuating their domination, the Auxerres hit the mark. By Lassine Sinayoko first, with a sliding tackle (1-1, 57th), then thanks to Gaëtan Courtet on a grotesque counterattack (2-1, 61st). Koné maintained a semblance of suspense for a time, which Rayan Raveloson eclipsed in the process (3-1, 71st).
With a two-goal lead, Auxerre calmly managed the end of the match, sure of its strengths and its control over the match. The club is heading straight for Ligue 1, with a six-point lead and a largely favorable goal difference over Angers three days before the end of the season. The promoted Dunkirk, however, remains in danger, four points ahead of Troyes, first in relegation.
The player: Koné delays the deadline
If Dunkerque was able to stay in the match for so long, it owes it more to its goalkeeper than to its collective strength. Despite a complicated start and a failed outing which led to the exit due to injury of Florian Ayé, Mohamed Koné put in a great performance. He finished the match with 6 saves, including two very classy ones in front of Ado Onaiwu (29th, 69th), which easily made him the best northerner of the evening.
