AJ Auxerre

By: CJH | Comments Off

Auxerre might not be the biggest club in France, but their performances in Ligue 1 and their appearance in this season’s Champions League certainly deserve coverage on the world’s best football community. If you support Auxerre and are interested in becoming our new club blogger, go to http://www.theoffside.com/bloggers and fill out an application. You could be all set up and blogging right here within a day or two.

By: Dean | 17 Comments

Auxerre’s youth system has produced the likes of Djibril Cisse and Eric Cantona down the years. With Jelen’s future at AJ still uncertain, below are four young strikers who may soften the blow for Jean Fernandez should the Polish international depart.

1. Lynel Kitambala

At 21, time is not so much as running out for Kitambala. Yet, having spent last season on loan at Dijon in Ligue 2, he’ll want to prove he’s worth a punt in Ligue 1 – whether at Auxerre or somewhere else. In his last 19 matches at Dijon, the robust forward notched up 12 goals. Good enough to earn a place in the first team? Only time will tell. But this stunning strike will have done the youngster no harm whatsoever.

2. Johan Branger

Many have high hopes for Branger, who seems to have everything you could possibly want in an offensive player. Power, pace, a decent left foot, and not bad in the air, should see Branger terrorise defences’ throughout France in the foreseeable future. Check out what So Foot magazine had to say about the precious youngster.

3. Yaya Sanogo

Haven’t heard of Yaya Sanogo? Where have you been. The 17-year-old clearly knows where the goal is, having scored 25 in 14 for the youth team in 2006/07. He then managed 18 in 18 for Frances’ u-16s, which soon attracted the attention of top European clubs such as Arsenal. Sanogo made his senior debut back in January, after coming off the bench in Auxerre’s win over Sedan in the Coupe de France. January also saw him sign his first professional contract for AJ.

4. Maxime Bourgeois

The 19-year-old made five appearances for the first-team in 2009/10. Bourgeois has very quick feet and the vision to prize open any defence at will. A tidy footballer, the youngster loves the ball at his feet and being able to dazzle his way past burly defenders. Great engine, composure and commitment, Bourgeois will be pushing hard for more playing time next year. He saved his only assist of last season to perfection.

Who do you think has the best chance of progressing into the first team next season?

By: Dean | 5 Comments

If we’re to believe the media, Jelen has already told Jean Fernandez that he wants out. Fernandez has also suggested that no player at the club is priceless. So, a move away from AJ seems rather likely for our top goalscorer – with Marseille and German club Schalke both battling it out for his services.

Few would argue that Jelen’s contribution last season was key to us finishing third. Our philosophy to soak up pressure, counter attack and look to Jelen to nick the winner was successfully played out time and again. Jelen’s goals transformed the team from being battlers to winners. Wins replaced draws through his priceless (?) ability to ghost in and score. That’s not to say he’s irreplaceable.

L’Equipe claim we’re looking at other strikers in the French league to replace the imminent departure of Jelen. Ljuboja (Grenoble), Le Tallec (Le Mans), Obraniak (Lille) and Hadji (Nancy) have all been mentioned, yet none are as prolific in front of goal as the Pole. I could understand us signing someone like Ljuboja to partner Jelen upfront, not to replace.

Being in Europe next season will mean tougher challenges, and so more players – particularly with experience of playing in Europe – will be required. Whether we end up playing in the Europa League instead of the Champions League, only time will tell. L’Equipe seem to believe it’s the former.

And there’s no hinding away from it – the CL preliminary round is going to be difficult. Possible opponents for Auxerre are as follows (caution: the teams below are pretty decent):

Tottenham (ANG)
Sevilla (ESP)
Sampdoria (TA)
Werder Bremen (ALL)
Zenit St Petersburg (RUS)
Dynamo Kiev (UKR)
Ajax (HOL)
Unirea Urziceni, FC Vaslui, FC Steaua Bucharest or Timisoara (ROU)
Sporting Braga (POR)
Fenerbahce (TUR)
Olympiakos Piraeus (GRE)
Celtic (ECO)
Gent (BEL)
Young Boys Bern (SUI)

Okay, relax. I know you’re thinking of the worst case scenario – we draw Spurs, Sevilla or Ajax. But to be fair, anyone will prove a difficult opponent – as will we.

Fernandez definitely has a lot to think about in terms of his team. Do we stick with the same game plan that got us where we are going into the next campaign? Or, should Jelen leave, will Fernandez change his tactics and revert to playing a more attack-minded side with two up front? I’d love to see Jelen stay and for Fernandez to bring in a striker who could help carry the responsibility of scoring, which the Pole has had to take on almost singlehandedly.

Ligue1 have published a “statattack” of last season. Nothing too surprising. Lille did manage to pip Marseille to having the best attack. Auxerre – with 20 clean sheets – have the best defence. No surprise there, but still something to be proud of. And a trait that will put us in good stead going into next season.

Finally, France Football have an interview with last weekend’s hero, Cedric Hengbart. He talks about how he believes Fernandez will stay, a super season at Auxerre, a move to Real Madrid or Barcelona and much more.

By: Dean | 5 Comments

Sochaux 1 – 2 Auxerre
Ideye (46) Hengbart (6,90)

What a game. If that win doesn’t tell you how far this Auxerre side have come on since last season, then nothing will. Desire, commitment, and a never-say-die attitude were all on show and all contributed to this historic win. I’d quickly like to say a big thank you to Lorient who came from behind to defeat a very talented Lille side 2-1. Without that result, Auxerre in the CL would still be a loopy dream.

To the momentous match. The visitors soaked up pressure and attacked with real guts, carving out the best moments of the game – particularly in the second half. This team really do possess a lot to admire, most pressingly their cool, calm and collective approach to every game. When faced with an uphill challenge – or a setback – Fernandez’s men time and again produce the right answer at the right time.

Okay they haven’t won the league or produced perfection. But they have shown how successful a team can be if they have the right game-plan coupled with the required ingredients. Yesterday was Auxerre’s personal exhibition in how to win.

Despite my blinkered view of yesterday’s proceedings on the pitch, there were moments of utter sloppiness from the side. Particularly Sochaux’s equaliser on 46, which canceled out Cedric Hengbart’s early opener. Still not sure why Brown Ideye was given enough time and space to despatch from close range. We were stretched and off the pace – basically caught off guard – which should never happen in a game with so much at stake.

But remember, this team rarely panic. And so, once again, they stuck together, weathered the sporadic storm and eventually produced the goods.

Obviously Hengbart’s contribution automatically makes him my MOTM – particularly for his winner. It wasn’t the most powerful of headers, yet the accuracy and intent were more than enough for Teddy Richert to struggle and only help it into the net. But substitute Maxime Bourgeois’s part in the winner should not be overlooked. His mazy run and inviting cross was sublime and telling not just for the present but also the future. The guy has bags of potential and I’m sure Fernandez will not be afraid to utilise him more next season.

The scenes from the bench and in the away section were extremely moving. In less than a minute, Fernandez went through mixed emotions. It was truly wonderful. The manager of the year – and rightly so – was first jubilant, then gobsmacked, before finally sending out messages of caution to his spirited soldiers.

To end the season the way we did is truly memorable. Only one cannot rest on their laurels. Next season will be tougher. Reinforcements are required. Players will ordinarily depart – Niculae has already confirmed that he will -and so new players must be added.

But I won’t go into any details into who I believe Auxerre should sign during the summer just yet. I’ll save that for later. Right now, I’m going to re-watch yesterday’s match and sit there merrily and self-satisfied, reminiscing on a glorious 2009/2010 campaign.

By: Dean | 2 Comments

There’s only one place to start this blog and that’s with Ligue 1’s 2009/10 manger of the year – Jean Fernandez! In all honesty, he pipped Marseille manager Didier Deschamps to the surprise of many – including the AJ boss. However, some may have boldly predicted OM to win the league before the opening game, yet who – honestly, who! – predicted that little ol’ Auxerre would go into the last game of the season with a realistic chance of finishing in the top three and with it a CL place?

Consistency is key to any decent side, and Auxerre have definitely shown throughout the season that they too are rather decent. The boss and his players have worked tirelessly to possess such an admirable trait. Whether it’s a CL place or a shot at the Europa League next year, the whole squad, including the manager and all his staff, deserve a massive congrats! I think everyone in Ligue 1 would agree that AJ have exceeded all expectations.

Before a blog on Saturday’s penultimate match, here’s a quick run-down on what has unfolded in recent weeks over.

Lyon 2 – 1 Auxerre: Lyon lead race to finish third

Going into this game, I felt relatively confident of a result. A win would have been lovely, but a score-draw seemed to me the likely outcome of two teams battling it out for that final CL place. It started well for the visitors. Jelen’s quick – and clever – thinking saw him latch onto a poor Anthony Réveillère backpass to skip past Lloris and slot home to send the noisy away fans jumping with glee. The all-too-familar game plan was swiftly set in motion.

Only what followed was a poor exhibition of how to defend a lead – very unlike Auxerre. It felt as though my eyes were clearly deceiving me. Could this be the same Benoit Pedretti who has shaped victory after victory – both home and away – conceding a clumsy penalty on the stroke of H-T? Aly Cissokho was heading nowhere – in fact, he was heading away from the visitors’ goal. The only danger that was plausible was for one of our players to irresponsibly foul him inside the box. Up stepped France’s player of the season Lisandro to make it 1-1. I guess a gift should be welcomed with another gift.

Then it was all Lyon. A goal – if not more – always looked inevitable for the hosts. But in the end it was only the one – by Miralem Pjanic on 85 – which saw them grab all three points to gain a significant advantage in the race for third. I will not say too much on the game, only that the better team won and thankfully, are pride and chances of qualifying for the CL, are still intact.

Auxerre 0 – 0 Lens: Stalemate leaves CL aspirations hanging on a knife-edge

At first I was disappointed, as I couldn’t watch our last home game of the season. Yet, after watching the highlights and speaking to a good friend of mine who was at the match, it was obviously a blessing in disguise.

A win would have been nice, only Lens made sure they weren’t there just to make up the numbers, and on more than one occasion had the opportunity to break the deadlock. At times they played some lovely darting football but then so did we – but just not that often.

Sochaux v Auxerre 15/05/10

So where does that leave Auxerre heading into Saturday’s trip to Sochaux? Well, a win plus a defeat to Lille or Lyon would guarantee a top three finish. My hopes rest on Lorient overcoming Lille at home, as I cannot even contemplate Lyon losing at home against Le Mans I’m afraid. But lets concentrate on getting the first part right and win our game.

Sochaux will undoubtedly be fired up and desperate to treat their home fans to a final day victory. Yet Auxerre surely have more to play for and should go out there with real gusto and belief that they can get the win – plus the luck in the other ties – to end the season on a high.

By: Dean | 1 Comment

Depending on your philosophy in life, it’s either two points dropped or a very valuable one gained en route to CL qualification. I’m inclined to agree with the latter, and so too is the manager Jean Fernandez.

He said after the match: “The draw is a fair result when you consider that both sides are very strong in defence. There were very few scoring chances. We were faced with the best side in Ligue 1. We tried to be a bit more incisive. I have just one regret: we lacked a bit of quality in our technique and we could have posed Marseille more problems.

“There was a lot of waste in our game. [Charles] Kaboré’s marking on [Benoît] Pedretti was a big problem for us and [Daniel] Niculae uncharacteristically lost possession on many occasions, which handicapped our attack. But our undefeated run continued and it’s a point won as far as we’re concerned. I’m neither disappointed nor frustrated.

“We’ve taken four points from a possible six against Marseille, and they haven’t scored against us this season. We’ve only lost once in our last 20 matches and we’ve only got three matches to go: against Lyon, Lens and Sochaux.”

I think Fernandez summed up most Auxerre fans’ feelings after the game, so I won’t bother regurgitating his adept post-match thoughts. Instead, I’ll do my best to run you through the pattern of the game.

The first real incident involved captain Pedretti going in late and recklessly on Valbuena. On Pedretti’s behalf, the midfielder seemed to keep his eye on the ball at all times, but was simply too slow to get a nick on Valbuena’s heavy touch – which saw him follow through onto Valbuena’s knee as the Marseille man passed to Gonzalez. It was a nasty challenge, one that could have seriously injured Valbuena, but which was void of any malicious intent. But in all honesty, I wouldn’t have been surprised if Pedretti received his marching orders in the opening half.

What surprised me about Marseille was how direct and physical they were. The former could be down to the game being a tight encounter with little space to probe an opening. Both Niang and Brandao were more than a handful for our two heavyweight defenders, and it was the front pairing who helped carve out the best chance of the match on 20.

Niang did enough to force Grichting into heading behind him and into the path of Brandao. The Brazilian swiftly picked out Valbuena down our left and it all seemed a bit inevitable. Fortunately for the hosts, Valbuena’s inviting cross evaded sharp-shooter Niang at the near post but not the unmarked Gonzalez at the back.

Gonzalez ghosted in at the far post but his reactions let him down, with the cross ricocheting off his knee and into the arms of Olivier Sorin before he had time to think.

Little arrived in the way of an Auxerre chance at goal, and so going in at h-t 0-0 things – on an offensive front – could only get better.

Well, Niculae continued to have a rare off day, Jelen livened up but the service to him was still poor and Brandao was a lucky, lucky boy after throwing an off-the-ball elbow at Cedric Hengbart. Not sure why he wasn’t sent off, can only assume that the ref and his assistant missed it.

In terms of chances, Niang had a header early on which sailed wide. Pedretti almost opened the scoring when he stole possession off Cisse, fed Jelen down OM’s left, before narrowly missing the frontman’s vicious cross, which was palmed away by Mandanda and cleared.

Brandao had OM’s best chances of the second half. The first was after the striker did well to time his run and jump perfectly, only to see his header bounce across the face of goal. Then, route one saw Brandao with a clear sight on goal. A goal kick was headed wayward by Grichting, then a game of head tennis – which went Hengbart, Gonzalez and Niang – ended up with Brandao bearing down on goal. Yet Hengbart somehow clawed his way back to halt Brandao in his tracks with a courageous block.

Jelen fired over and then, with minutes remaining, Auxerre could and possibly should have stolen all three points. It was on OM’s left hand side again, as Hengbart sent Contout to the byline before the substitute drilled in an inviting cross which a sliding Jelen almost tapped in from close range.

No goals and rather unsurprisingly seeing as there happened to be only one shot on target.

Overall, there cannot be too many complaints about the draw. It now seems inevitable that Marseille will deservedly go on to claim Le Championnat – their first since 1992. And Auxerre? Well, with three games remaining, there’s still plenty of points to play for. On evidence tonight, one thing is certain – they won’t give up second place without a fight.

Check out Goal.com’s player ratings from the match. Pretty accurate.

By: Dean | 3 Comments

Despite feeling relatively calm about this evenings match, like all football fans, I decided to let myself believe in the unbelievable. Which is that Auxerre can overcome Marseille and – dare I say it – win the league. Now I’m anxious to say the least. Silly boy.

So, to add some much needed muscle to my immature judgement I thought I’d suss this lot out. I mean, who do they think they are, looking down at us like they’re invincible. Wait a minute. Oh. Dear me. Yep. Marseille are pretty invincible.

The table never lies – as we at Auxerre are always at pains to tell people – and neither do the stats. OM have won their last seven matches, have the best away form in the league, the second best defence and attack, and the best form in both the first and second half. In simple terms, they’re the best.

On a positive note – admittedly it’s a bit of a hazy one – OM’s last three away fixtures have all been tight encounters. Their last two were wins against Boulogne and Sochaux by the odd goal – with both winners appearing on 94 and 88. Prior to that, they managed to pick up a point at Toulouse. If it’s still level pegging by the second half, everything is up for grabs. Playing the occasion and not the opposition will only see Auxerre get comprehensively ousted.

We’ll go into the match feeling rather confident. Not only on the back of impressive wins against Toulouse (3-0) and Lorient (4-1), but also because we haven’t lost a home game in 2010. Our last home defeat was back in early December, which makes it one defeat in 23 matches in all competitions.

In terms of the line-ups tonight, I’m expecting Didier Deschamps to pick a pragmatic, if not deadly, starting XI. I’m thinking 4-4-2 with the same team that played agaonst St Etienne last weekend – expect having Tawio come in for Gonzalez or Kabore. Saying that, I wouldn’t be at all surprised with a 4-5-1 formation, with Deschamps employing an extra man in midfield to stifle our service to Jelen. It’s no secret that Jelen is indispensable to the side – We’ve won 22 in 23 home games when Jelen has scored – but there are many unsung heroes out there in the side who work tirelessly to bring the best out of the Pole.

Pedretti is to Auxerre what Xai is to Barce – he can go short or long, play it simple or intricately into a goalscoring opportunity. When Pedretti is on song, he can orchestrate proceedings at will. Then there’s Daniel Niculae who for me has been outstanding. His deft footwork and vision is exemplary. As is his clever work off the ball, that largely goes unnoticed, but allows him to be available at all times and pounce when an opening occurs. Think something harder than a rock, and you get Adama Coulibaly. Cool, calm and built to destroy, not much gets past the Malian or his defensive partner, Stephane Grichting.

For Auxerre, the agenda is about carrying on from where they left off. Defence will need to be faultless. Whilst the midfied will have to run their hearts out, protecting the back four whilst also staying sharp to propel Jelen into action. Get Pedretti on the ball as much as possible. Niculae too. No dropouts. Everyone must take on extra responsibility tonight and not let the last 34 weeks go unnoticed.

Let’s not be afraid by the stature of this fixture. We have many people on our side. WIth the crowd behind us – and everyone else in Ligue 1 except OM of course – let’s go out there and produce the goods.

By: Dean | 9 Comments

Friday is almost upon us. Ligue 1’s game of the weekend – perhaps of the season so far – sees second-placed Auxerre entertain league leaders Marseille. And already the mind games are underway.

Auxerre’s Stephane Grichting feels his side are the only team capable of stopping Marseille from winning the league, which adds extra significance to this weekend’s contest.

Should Auxerre defeat Marseille for the second time this season, all is to play for; however, a I’OM win, would see the current leaders open up an unassailable eight point advantage with only three games to play. CNN Sports Illustrated seem to have their minds made up already.

Deschamps has already said Friday’s match is “an important one”, whilst Jean Fernandez just seems happy to have his side participate in such a massive duel.

Speaking after the 3-0 victory away to Toulouse last weekend, Fernandez said: “Next Friday we take on Marseille at home in front of a sell out crowd. It’s a great game for our players who deserve it.”

He may be playing to the cameras, suggesting that all the pressure is in fact on Marseille, which ‘keeper Olivier Sorin has also worked upon igniting.

The 29-year-old told reporters this week that Marseille have more to lose than Auxerre – which is true. No one ever thoght Auxerre would be where they are at this stage of the season, fighting for the title, and with a realistic opportunity of gaining a CL place for next season ahead of juggernauts Bordeaux and Lyon.

Auxerre’s 13-goal frontman, Jelen, is more cautious than optimistic.

Speaking to Ligue 1, Jelen defiantly claimed “we can win the title” before instantly playing down his side’s chances, “but we have to be realistic. Finishing in the top five spots would already be great”.

Again, Jelen could well be easing the pressure off an inexperienced Auxerre team, who last won the league back in 1995-96.

Yet, in front of a sell out crowd, with all the hard work already put in, I’m sure the manager and his players do not want to turn up and get comprehensively beaten by Marseille.

Three precious points are on the table, and after scoring four against Lorient, then three against Toulouse – whilst still maintaining the best defensive unit in the league – there’s every chance Auxerre can upset the odds.

In other news, reports suggest Gabriel Tamas’s loan move to West Brom will soon be made permanent. The Romanian has impressed since arriving at the Hawthorns in January, and I for one will be sad to see Tamas leave.

The 26-year-old’s Auxerre career has never really taken off, yet loan spells in Romania and England have seen him put in his fair share of imposing displays.

By: Dean | Add Comments

I know I shouldn’t be agitated. I know I shouldn’t jump to the bait. But I will.

Journalist – repected or not, I don’t really care – Bruno Roger-Petit did a terrible job at arguing why having Auxerre play in the Champions League next season is bad news for French football at European level.

Roger-Petit says he was only probing at what most journalists should do too. He explains Auxerre is a town of only 50,000; that their stadium holds only 22,000 seats; and their expenditure is only 30 million.

You know, he’s right. Honestly, if this Auxerre outfit – who lie second in Ligue 1 having won 19 and lost ONLY 6 – think they can cut it with the big boys, then God help them. Silly sods.

He continues to say how can French football expect Auxerre to one day win the Champions League. He then makes a highly insightful observation; Fernandez is not Mourinho, nor is Pedretti Ronadlo. Why stop there. I’ll add one of my own – Jelen is no Messi.

There you go, that settles it. Only Inter and Real Madrid – and Barcelona for me – can play in the Champions League from now on, seeing as they are the only teams to possess either Mourinho, Ronaldo or Messi

His shortsightedness is more than laughable – it’s quite alarming. Auxerre are where they are through their performances on the pitch – not because they have 50,000 habitants, a 22,000 seated stadium, white shirts, two dogs and a chimpanzee.

If Auxerre manage to finish the season with a Champions League spot – bravo!

By: Dean | 3 Comments

Ligue
Toulouse 0-3 AJ Auxerre (Pedretti 47 Jelen 67, 79)
Reaction / Goal 1 2 3

I guess Auxerre just won’t go away, will they. Another workmanlike display, coupled with some fine goals saw Jean Fernandez’ men overcome Toulouse 3-0 at the Stadium Municipal.

The hosts had the majority of possession (60%) – plus 22 shots at goal compared to AJ’s 10 – but the only stat that really matters is, of course, the scoreline.

The first half should have belonged to Toulouse, yet a few misses from their marksman Gignac saw both sides go in at half time all square.

Benoit Pedretti’s opener was well-timed. With a minute or so played in the second half, Pedretti’s inswinging free kick evaded everyone – including Olivier Blondel – to put the visitors ahead and set them up for yet another win.

Only the course was a little bumpy along the way. But, once again, Auxerre hopped, skipped and jumped each testing obstacle and came out fighting, putting together two beautifully sculpted goals to put the sword in Toulouse.

The away side doubled the lead on 68 minutes, after the effervescent Daniel Niculae fed Jelen clean through. The striker set himself up, before hurtling a thunderous effort beyond Blondel.

Around ten minutes later and Auxerre were three up, and the Pole had his second of the game. Lovely work from the underrated Valter Birsa down the left, as the Slovakian whipped in a perfectly weighted cross for Jelen to have the simplest of tasks in tucking it away from close range. Bosh.

Auxerre, now second, two points behind leaders Marseille, will hope St Etienne pull off the shock result of the season by beating OM this evening.

Up next for Auxerre is a home tie against Didier Deschamps’ Marseille. Auxerre will hope they can make it two wins in two against OM, after leaving the Stade Velodrome with all three points back in December.

Should they do so, that title dream may slowly be turning into a reality.

p.s. Sorry this is the first post in ages. Have not been able to post due to unforeseen circumstances – trust me.