Latest news with #ChristophePélissier
Yahoo
07-05-2025
- Sport
- Yahoo
Efficiency key to AJ Auxerre's success this season
Thanks to its dynamic attack, AJ Auxerre will be playing top-flight football beyond this season. The 2023-24 Ligue 2 champions have officially survived relegation this time around and could earn as many as 50 points in the top flight for the first time since the 2009-10 campaign (71). Advertisement Despite being one of the newcomers to Ligue 1, the Burgundy club has not shown any signs of intimidation against the experienced sides at this level, as Christophe Pélissier's men have often attempted to play on the front foot. His attacking approach has been rewarded, with Auxerre netting 46 goals in Ligue 1 through 32 matchdays. That's their highest total to this stage of a top-flight season since 2003-04, when they scored 48 times after 31 league fixtures. That season, they were aided by the brilliance of Djibril Cissé, who finished the campaign with 26 league goals, as AJA finished fourth and claimed a place in the UEFA Cup, today known as the Europa League. Auxerre have had two stars step up in Bournemouth loanee Hamed Traoré (25) and Gaëtan Perrin (28), scoring 10 and nine goals, respectively, in 32 league fixtures. Advertisement While Perrin, Lassine Sinayoko (25), and Traoré have been among the top providers, this team have been middle of the pack regarding big chances created, according to FotMob, sitting 13th with 63. At the same time, AJA have been decisive when scoring opportunities have presented themselves, with the fewest big chances missed in Ligue 1 after 31 matchdays per FotMob. In 2024-25, Auxerre have scored in 25 encounters and have only been shut out on seven occasions. GFFN | Joel Lefevre
Yahoo
15-03-2025
- Sport
- Yahoo
Auxerre continue impressive unbeaten run against France's elite
AJ Auxerre have been punching above their weight in Ligue 1 this season. Having been promoted from Ligue 2 last season, Christophe Pélissier's side have not been included in the relegation conversation all season, against expectations. Not only that, there is a slim chance of some form of European football coming to the Stade de l'Abbé-Deschamps next season. Otherwise, a mid-table finish exceeds expectations for L'AJA. Auxerre have been particularly strong against Ligue 1's elite. Against the current top three (Paris Saint-Germain, Olympique de Marseille, and OGC Nice), they are unbeaten. Pélissier's side have beaten Marseille home and away by an aggregate score of 6-1, beat Nice at home and then drew away, at the Allianz Riviera, on Friday night thanks to Florian Ayé's 94th-minute equaliser (1-1). Auxerre also held PSG to a draw but will have to face them again before the end of the campaign. '11 points out of 15 (against the top three) is not bad but, unfortunately for us, there are other matches,' joked Pélissier in a post-match press conference, attended by Get French Football News. Auxerre's defensive solidity and ability to hit in transition has been key to their success. Guile and audacity were key ingredients against Nice as they went for broke in the second half. 'I decided to change because I that we didn't make them struggle at the start. We went from a 4-4-2 to basically a 4-2-4 because there were just forwards up front,' said Pélissier, referencing the raft of changes made in the 76th minute. It was a change that allowed Auxerre to keep up their unbeaten run against Ligue 1's top three and enhance their 'giant-killer' reputation this season. GFFN | Luke Entwistle – reporting from Nice
