The 10 things to know before AJA – TFC
1 – An away victory, finally?
If the Téf shines at home, it is far from being the case outside. Indeed, the last success of the TFC outside its bases in Ligue 1 dates back to August 14th. It was in Troyes, for a great 0-3 victory. Since then, Toulouse has gone 7 games without a win away in Ligue 1 (6 losses, 1 draw). A period during which the Violets conceded 19 goals, for only 5 small goals scored. The Violets know it, they will obviously also have to take points away from home if they want to hope to stay in Ligue 1. What’s more, against direct opponents. Auxerre is one of them and the people of Toulouse would be well advised to stop this bad series in Yonne, this Wednesday evening. Especially since AJA is far from invincible at home this season (2 wins in 8 games).
2 – Woe to the vanquished
Toulouse is certainly 12th in the standings, but only has a very small margin in the red zone. Brest, 17th and first relegated, is only 6 short lengths behind Philippe Montanier’s men. Thus, a defeat in Auxerre lands would put the TFC under pressure before continuing with three other very important matches against Brest, Strasbourg and Troyes. For its part, victory is mandatory for Auxerre, 18th in the standings. If Tèf succeeds on Wednesday, Auxerre would be relegated to 9 points behind the Violets before three perilous meetings against Lens, Montpellier and Monaco.
3 – Auxerre, in difficulty
Last Sunday, Auxerre was very scared on the lawn of Dunkirk, resident of National, in the 32nd finals of the Coupe de France. Held in check at the end of regulation time (2-2), Donovan Léon’s teammates escaped on penalties, thanks to a stoppage by their goalkeeper. Difficulties that confirm those that appeared in the league, in which the Ajaists have only won 3 games this season. After a chaotic start to the championship, Jean-Marc Furlan was dismissed and replaced by Christophe Pélissier. A change of coach which did not cause an electric shock for Auxerrois who remain on 4 games without a win in Ligue 1. AJA scores little (16 goals, 17th attack in Ligue 1), and conversely cashes far too many goals (35 this season, 19th defense in Ligue 1).
4 – The eleven of the TFC
Resting on Sunday during the victory of the TFC at Lannion in the Coupe de France (1-7), the executives will be back in the starting lineup this Wednesday. Several uncertainties nevertheless exist as to eleven who will be chosen by Philippe Montanier to start this meeting. In the middle, Farès Chaïbi and Brecht Dejaegere are in balance to accompany the unstoppable Stijn Spierings and Branco Van den Boomen. Both are performing well at the moment, Philippe Montanier will have to decide. In front, Thijs Dallinga could take advantage of his very good match in Brittany to start, unless the Toulouse coach chooses to renew his confidence in Ado Onaiwu. Zakaria Aboukhlal should meanwhile regain his starting spot on the right flank of the Toulouse attack.
The probable XI: Dupé – Sylla, Rouault, Nicolaisen, Diarra – Spierings, Chaïbi (or Dejaegere), Van den Boomen – Aboukhlal, Ratao, Dallinga (or Onaiwu).
Read alsoAJA – TFC: the Toulouse group
5 – The AJA eleven
For this meeting of the 18th day of Ligue 1, Christophe Pélissier has an almost complete group. AJA will play in their classic 4-5-1, with Nuno Da Costa in support of M’Baye Niang, if the Senegalese can start despite the blow he received in Dunkirk.
The probable XI: Costil – Zedadka, Jubal, Jeanvier, Mensah – Sinayoko, B.Touré, Sakhi, Perrin, Da Costa – Niang (or Autret).
Read alsoAJA – TFC: the Auxerre group
6 – Christophe Pélissier, the most Toulousain of the Auxerrois
Inducted on the Auxerre bench on October 26, Christophe Pélissier replaced a Jean-Marc Furlan who has been in difficulty since the start of the season. He will live, this Wednesday, a particular match. Indeed, the former coach of Lorient or even Amiens was born in Revel, about sixty kilometers from the Stadium. He knows the Toulouse region well, since he wore the jersey of US Revel, but also of AS Muret or Carcassonne during his career as an amateur player. It was he who led the incredible epic of Luzenac. At the end of 2018, he even came close to becoming the coach of the TFC, after the departure of Michaël Debève, a post which he ultimately declined.
Read alsoChristophe Pélissier (AJA): “We see that Toulouse also has difficulties”
7 – The key to the match: take advantage of Auxerre’s defensive mistakes
19th defense in Ligue 1, AJA is in distress behind. Symbol of this weakness, the Auxerrois have conceded 3 or more goals in the same match 5 times this season. This Sunday, they still cracked twice against an opponent from the third national level, Dunkirk. The Toulouse armada, which seems to have recovered since the resumption, will have to take advantage of it in order to bring back the three points of this perilous trip.
8 – A referee who does little for Toulouse
The referee of this Auxerre – TFC will be Florent Batta. The 42-year-old referee has been leading Ligue 1 matches for several years, and will referee his sixth Ligue 1 match this season on Wednesday. Note that the TFC remains on 2 consecutive defeats with this referee: in Rodez last season (1-0 defeat) and in Lens on October 28 (3-0 defeat).
9 – A recent report against Auxerre
Toulouse won its two matches against the Burgundians last season in Ligue 2: 6-0 at the Stadium and 1-2 at Abbé-Deschamps. In recent years, Auxerre has done quite well for Toulouse. Of the last 10 meetings between the 2 clubs, Téf has won 6, for 1 draw and 3 defeats. A player from the current squad is in great shape every time he faces Auxerre: Branco Van den Boomen, who has 3 goals and 2 assists in 4 games played against this opponent.
10 – Did you know?
If Auxerre and Toulouse have faced each other 4 times in the last two seasons in Ligue 2, the last Ligue 1 meeting between the two clubs played in the den of Auxerrois dates back to November 6, 2011. It was during the 13th day of the championship, and the Burgundians won 2-0. The opener had been signed… Yaya Sanogo. Finally, the TFC will finish the season in 8th place, while Auxerre, 20th, will be relegated to Ligue 2.
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