At the end of a perfectly controlled match, USL Dunkerque eliminated AJ Auxerre (1-0) in the 32nd final of the Coupe de France.
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Best performing Ligue 2 team of the year 2024, USL Dunkirk introduced himself to Auxerre (Ligue 1) with certainty and above all without any complexes for its 32nd Cup final France. Despite a turnover operated by Luis Castro (Ortola, Skytta, Bammou and Raghouber left to rest, Sanganté and Rivera replacing), the Northerners ignored the difference in level and took the game into their own hands. The first 20 minutes favored the Maritimes. Even if AJA seems to be getting its head above water, it is the L2 residents who open the scoring. On the left side, Tejan centers, the ball is poorly repelled by Négrel, the third AJA goalkeeper, and taken by Enzo Bardeli, already at the origin of the action (0-1, 26th minute).
Stunned, Auxerre reacted timidly with a few crosses and deep balls sent towards Theo Bair, muzzled by the northern hinge. Just before the break, the USLD came close to making the break on a set piece. Sasso deflects his head towards Essimi, completely alone at the far post, who fails to find the target.
In the second half, the Auxerre returned to their pitch with more offensive edge. At the hour mark, Ewen Jaouen was scared by a missed restart but Gaëtan Perrin saw his shot deflected. The AJA winger was the only player on his team to regularly bring danger, without failing a sovereign Dunkirk defense.
Photo ©Hugo Pfeiffer/Icon Sport
The match sheet
December 22, 2024 – 32nd final of the Coupe de France – Stade l’Abbé-Deschamps
Also Auxerre 0-1 Dunkirk (half time: 0-1)
Goals: Bardeli (26th) for USLD
Warnings: Sekongo (90+2) for USLD
AJA : Négrel – Joly, Diamond, Osho, Akpa – Perrin, Goddess (Danish75e), Raveloson© (Owusu75e), Onaiwu – Bair (We have it64e), Earth.
Le banc : Adiceam (g), Hoever, Jubal, Mensah, Keita, Zossou.
USLD : Jaouen – Georgen, Sasso, Kondo, Youssouf – Queiros, Bardeli (Senneville85e), Sekongo – Tejan, Courtet, Essimi (Rivera85e).
Bench: Cone (g), Bessile, Blood, Fernandez, Diop, Yassine, Nsingi.
