The match: Annecy can escape to Rodez
This did not escape the most assiduous followers of FC Annecy. The Haut-Savoie club, which was seven points behind the first non-relegation team on the evening of the 27th day (March 2), can ensure its survival two months later in Rodez, three days before the end.
However, the planets will have to align. Annecy will have to win on Friday evening and at the same time see Troyes not beat bottom-placed Valenciennes at home. A northern club already condemned to the National but which remains on two consecutive victories to double its total (4) over the entire season.
“We play every match to win them because we want to maintain ourselves as quickly as possible,” warns Annecy midfielder Nordine Kandil. If it’s Friday, it’s ideal to then finish the championship in the best possible place. »
An impatience tempered by Annecy coach Laurent Guyot. “No matter the timing, the main thing is to stay in Ligue 2 to finally be able to prepare for a season normally and try to perform as well as possible in an increasingly competitive championship. »
The opponent: Rodez can dream of Ligue 1
In the soft underbelly (9th) at the end of the first leg on the evening of a victory in Annecy (2-1), the RAF had an exceptional year 2024. Three days from the end, the Ruthenois occupy 4th place with four units ahead of Laval (6th) and a very favorable goal average (+11 against -4) to hope to compete in the play-offs reserved for 3rd, 4th and 5th in Ligue 2. Friday’s meeting will therefore offer a strong sporting challenge for the two teams against a backdrop of emerging rivalry.
“We must recognize that what they are doing in this return phase is something strong. We are going to play a very successful team which has just won three matches in a week, that is not given to everyone. We will have to be ready because I have the feeling that our 42 points will not be enough, warns Laurent Guyot. I expect a difficult match against a team that defends well and has very, very good attacking pairs on the counterattack with great efficiency. Our ability to defend well will be very important, especially away from home against a team that scores a lot of goals (2nd attack in Ligue 2). »
The player: Lucas Buades absent
Number 1 target of FC Annecy supporters since they attributed a large part of their torments last summer to him, Lucas Buades should miss the return match.
Injured in the ankle since March 6 during an impact in training, the man who remains the best passer (6) in the RAF has not set foot on a Ligue 2 pitch since. However, he could return on the last day or during the possible play-offs.
Other notable absences are that of the two goalkeepers Lionel Mpasi and Sébastien Cibois, both injured. A situation unusual enough for the RAF to urgently call on a medical joker on April 19 with the arrival on loan from Reims of Ewen Jaouen.
Aged only 18, the promising goalkeeper is undefeated since his very recent professional debut with three victories in the last three matches with Rodez against Auxerre (2-0), ahead of Paris FC (1-0) and Concarneau (2 -1).
The number: 3,200
Like the number of spectators announced for this highly anticipated meeting in Aveyron. The Paul-Lignon stadium, with a current capacity of 3,200 seats before increasing to 7,000 in the middle of next season, will be full. The RAF will also play to a sold-out crowd on the last day (May 17) when they host AC Ajaccio.
In Annecy, this match also excites the crowds since the FCA supporter groups have planned a bus to travel the 450 miles between the two cities.
The group: Callens will play in Rodez
FC Annecy records several returns for its trip to Rodez. Suspended against Bastia (3-2), midfielder Vincent Pajot returns just like striker Kapit Djoco banned from playing last weekend against his former club.
This is also the case for central defender Kévin Mouanga who recovered from his thigh injury last Tuesday in Caen (2-1 defeat).
On the other hand, goalkeeper Florian Escales will not make the trip to Aveyron. Hit in the elbow against the Corsicans on the hour mark, he will leave his place in goal to Thomas Callens, who started only once in Ligue 2 this season at Auxerre (4-0, September 26).
In the same way, midfielder Martin Adeline (thigh) will still be too tight to return to a club where he started before being loaned by Reims (Ligue 1) last year, just like attackers Brian Beyer and Romain Spano, wounded.
Finally, Yohan Demoncy, sent off at the end of the match against Bastia after his head to head with Florian Bohnert, will be automatically suspended. The midfielder will be able to return to the group from the reception in Angers (May 10, 8:45 p.m.) since he only received a single match suspension (and another suspended one) this Tuesday evening from the disciplinary committee.
FC Annecy maintained on Friday if…
– He wins in Rodez and Troyes does not beat Valenciennes
