AJ Auxerre travels to the Bollaert pitch on Saturday afternoon (5 p.m.) to challenge Racing Club de Lens. And if the ranking immediately announces a difficult trip for the AJA, Christophe Pélissier intends to look the championship leader straight in the eyes: “We are attacking this second part of the season with a heavy hand. We know where we’re going, but we’re going to look them eye to eye.“
A speech all the more understandable since the Auxerrois had humiliated the Sang et Or last year on their lawn (4-0). Ambition, such is the watchword of the Burgundian coach: “We have to play this match with ambition. We will necessarily adapt our way of attacking and defending a little. We have the quality to achieve a result.“
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Auxerre will look at Lens “right in the eye”
In Nice, we are worried about Dante. While he will retire at the end of the season, the Brazilian has not played a single match since November 27. At a press conference, Claude Puel took stock of his captain: “Dante continues his recovery. He reaches milestones every day. It’s interesting. But to tell you when he will join the group and be competitive to claim to play, it is his body which will give us the answers” he confided in comments reported by L’Equipe.
One thing is certain, patience will be required: “There will be a question of rhythm that he can find again. What is important is that he can continue training so that he becomes competitive again for the group“. As a reminder, the Gym travels to the pitch in Toulouse (7 p.m.) and hopes to continue its good momentum since the arrival of Puel.
Finally, in Strasbourg, we deplore the absence of Mathis Amougou for the reception of Metz on Sunday (3 p.m.) in the derby. Hit in an ankle against Avranches last weekend in the Coupe de France, the former Stéphanois is forced to withdraw and will have to rest for a few days according to the sports daily. Gary O’Neil will also have to do without Andrew Omobamidele (calf), Emmanuel Emegha (thigh), Maxi Oyedele and Guéla Doué.
To summarize
Auxerre moves to Lens with ambition. Despite the status of leader of the Sang et Or, Christophe Pélissier wants to look his opponent “straight in the eye”. Building on the 4-0 inflicted last year, the Burgundians believe in a result in Bollaert.
