The match too many for Rodez who lost with honors against Saint-Etienne and said goodbye to his Ligue 1 dream

Le jeu aérien a été l’une des clés du match entre Saint-Etienne et Rodez. Les Verts y ont pris le dessus sur les Sang et Or. MAXPPP – Rémy PERRIN

Dominés dans tous les secteurs, les Ruthénois se sont logiquement inclinés à Saint-Etienne (2-0), ce vendredi 24 mai, en play-off de Ligue 2.

Rodez will not move up to Ligue 1. The great season of the Ruthenois came to an end on Friday evening in Saint-Etienne, in a molten cauldron. Ewen Jaouen, the RAF goalkeeper, delayed the game for a long time. ;rsquo;deadline and the Stéphanois were clumsy on numerous occasions in front of goal. But by pushing, the Greens ended up finding the opening through Irvin Cardona, with a header, on a cross from Chambost (65th). Mbuku's second achievement only arriving in the last minute of added time (90th+6).

Physically worn out

On the Aveyron side, it's difficult to have regrets given the scenario of the match. Dominated in intensity, beaten in duels and physically worn out, Didier Santini's men had all the difficulty in the world to get the ball out from behind and to use the lanes well as they are used to doing .

Quel travail de Didier Santini avec Rodez ! 👑❤️💛

Saison HISTORIQUE pour les ruthenois. 👏

🎥 @beinsports_FRpic.twitter.com/c6E1MFQLbM

— Actu Ligue 1 (@ActuL1_) May 24, 2024

However, we felt that there were some possibilities in depth with Corredor and Hountondji. The latter had also taken advantage of a counter from his partner in the attack to get back in a good position, but his shot went over the top (12th). There were also shots that Sylla and Corredor (40th) could have played better. Finally, the biggest opportunity for Rodez came from a misunderstanding between Saint-Etienne goalkeeper Larsonneur and Tardieu which Corredor took advantage of but the ASSE midfielder somehow deflected the ball. Not sure, however, that his shot was on target (69th). Too little to prevent the Greens from playing the play-off for promotion to Ligue 1 against Metz on May 30 and June 2.

Build on this great adventure

For the RAF, it’s the end of an extraordinary season and we must not stop at the match on Friday evening. But remember how much the Sang et Or thrilled their supporters with scenarios, each more incredible than the last, like the first play-off match against Paris FC (2-2, 3-2 tab ).

Irvin Cardona und Nathanael Mbuku

Die beiden Augsburger schießen Saint-Étienne zum Sieg gegen Rodez
Nur noch einen Sieg gegen Metz von der Rückkehr in die französische Spitzenklasse entfernt

ASSE und der FCA, eine Bande pic.twitter.com/J2PmAWqeHX

— Kirchi 🦊 (@kirchi_privat) May 24, 2024

We can also greet the 746 supporters who were in the parking lot in Saint-Etienne and the 2,500 people in the Ruthenian village hall in front of a giant screen. Proof of the enthusiasm they gave to an entire city and a department. This must only be the beginning of another adventure on which Rodez must build.

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