It’s a big piece that AJA is tackling this Saturday (kick off 3 p.m.). A summit, alpine, impassable for many teams: Grenoble, 3rd, before this 19th day of Ligue 2, the last of the first leg, best defense at home, where the GF38 has been undefeated since the start of the season. But the Icaunais, 5th in the championship, have arguments to make.
AJA has great room for improvement
After Tuesday’s frustrating draw at Abbé-Deschamps against Caen (1-1), no time to lose for AJA. The results of the matches of this 19th day started yesterday have smiled on the Icaunais, who only have to convert the test: in case of success in Isère, Jean-Marc Furlan’s men would settle in 2nd place in L2 for the first time this season. Auxerrois still installed in the lead car, undefeated for 11 matches (6 wins, 5 draws, their record in L2 since the descent in 2012), but who seem to be picking up a bit lately.
If we wanted to be choosy, it looks like the AJA is less successful than before: 6 goals scored on 67 shots between the 15th and 18th day (average of 1 goal every 11 shots) against 11 pawns scored on 54 attempts between the 11th and 14th day (average of 1 goal every 5 shots). Symbol of this lack of success: AJA’s top scorer, Mickaël Le Bihan, 13 goals in 17 matches, has been silent for 4 games, his longest famine since the start of the season (even if, out of these 4 games, he distilled 3 assists).
Less efficiency, but also fewer alternatives on the bench. The changes are sometimes always the same and do not necessarily bring a second wind to the team: Gauthier Hein, Axel Ngando and Kévin Fortuné who turn for post for post; Mathias Autret, Hamza Sakhi or another offensive replaced by Aly Ndom to solidify the midfield … This lack of depth, while the AJA could play 12 matches in 8 weeks if he qualifies for the 32nd finals of the Coupe de France he There is, this is what the coach auxerrois wanted to point out at a pre-match press conference, he who often mentions a workforce that is “not wide”. A particular resonance in the middle of the winter transfer window.
“As a general rule, statistically, you play between 14 and 16 players throughout the season”, explains Jean-Marc Furlan. “The question of any coach is to know how you are able, beyond these 14-16 boys, to have very effective play systems and groups while you change players and devices, to ensure that they remain effective. But at AJA, we are not there yet. “
The technician continues: “Often, we coaches, we want to survive. So we always play the same 14 players to have a very good season. You realize that there are several who manage to make one, but afterwards, everything is crumbling because you haven’t put in place important foundations: how many players you play, how you involve them, how many tactical systems are effective … As I wanted to achieve results quickly, we kept pretty much the same boys. But we still have a lot of room for improvement. And that’s what worries me all day. ”
Hoping that the concerns will be balanced well at the bottom of the Grenoble basin to continue to move forward.
Begraoui not retained, Hein suspended
For the trip to Grenoble, Yanis Begraoui was not selected by Jean-Marc Furlan. Entered only once in the last 7 matches of the AJA (he had not been summoned to Nancy for the 15th day either), the young 19-year-old striker, at the end of his contract this summer with the AJA and free to engage with whomever he wishes, has not extended with the icaunais club.
Not soluble in the game plan of the coach auxerrois, little in sight during his exits from the bench sometimes in a peak or on one side him the pure axial, not put in confidence by his situation and subject to stiff competition in front, the number 19 AJA (1 goal in 9 matches played, 11 minutes played per game on average) must find playing time elsewhere to grow up, either on loan or by being transferred permanently to another club. The question is not yet decided.
