Saturday July 16, the Ruthénois were beaten 0-1 by the residents of Ligue 1 on the lawn of Paul-Lignon. A second defeat in a row for the blood and gold, two days after losing (0-2) against Bastia.
The typical Rodez team is emerging. Saturday July 16, the Ruthénois lost (0-1) against Lens in their fourth preseason friendly match. And if the staff kept the same composition as against Bastia, Thursday July 14, the holders did not leave the field of the meeting. Two 30-minute halves during which the blood and gold took time to set their game, but they managed to rebalance the forces in the second period.
More fluidity in the second period
For their first game of the day, as they face Clermont this afternoon, the Lensois did not field Team I. But several holders, like Jonathan Clauss, were in the game. The Pas-de-Calaisiens led the first half, leaving little respite to the Aveyronnais. The latter managed to impose themselves more in the opposing half around the 20th minute.
The three Ruthenian attackers, Killian Corredor, Joseph Mendes and Nassim Ouammou, each obtained at least one opportunity, including a post for Ouammou. But it was Lens that materialized just before the break with a header from Simon Banza (0-1, 30th), after multiple attacks against Lionel Mpasi’s goal. The Ruthenian goalkeeper also made some fine saves, including a high-flying one in the 11th minute against Banza. At the break, Mpasi left his place Sébastien Cibois, for the only change in the blood and gold ranks.
Returning from the locker room, the men of Laurent Peyralde, who was not on the bench but in the stands “to have another look”, explains Emerik Darbelet, his deputy, once again faced the tough pace of Lens. But that period, the Ruthénois had a better understanding of the duels and made their game more fluid. The off-season recruits, Mendes and Abdallah showed good intentions and Cibois was also there on the Lensoise offensives.
A few minutes from the final whistle, Rodez had twice the opportunity to equalize from a free kick (55th, 60th), without success. And an error by defender Serge-Philippe Raux-Yao, who did not pay attention to the opposing striker at the entrance to the area by passing the ball to Chougrani, could have cost the Aveyronnais a goal. But the shot went over the Cibois cage.
The Lensois therefore won 0-1, to the chants of their supporters who thrilled Paul-Lignon, as they have a reputation.
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