AJ Auxerre set for Ligue 1 return

Whilst AJ Auxerre’s promotion to Ligue 1 has not been mathematically secured, their return to France’s top flight is almost official. 

There were scenes of celebration at the Stade de l’Abbé-Deschamps on Saturday after a 2-0 victory over Paris FC all but secured their promotion. With just two games remaining, they have a six-point lead over second-placed AS Saint-Étienne and third-placed SCO Angers. Auxerre’s +33 goal difference is significantly better than Saint-Étienne’s (+18) and Angers’ (+13), meaning that their players and their staff allowed themselves to celebrate with their fans. 

Auxerre have now been promoted in two of the last three seasons. A typical yo-yo club, manager Christophe Pelissier is aware of what next season’s objective will be at Auxerre. “In Ligue 1, it will be hard with just 18 teams. We can’t mistake our objective,” said Pelissier post-match. 

“We are already working on [playing] in Ligue 1,” added president Baptiste Malberbe. “The question is how to be as solid as possible in the changing landscape of professional football. We’ll try and go on our merry way again and if we maintain our unity, we’ll get there,” he added. 

With Auxerre almost guaranteed of promotion, there is only one automatic place remaining. It is a close battle with Saint-Étienne and Angers both level on points and separated by just five goals. 

GFFN | Luke Entwistle