“François Lajugie picked up a yellow card for a foul just six minutes in, and within 60 seconds Rodez had a man booked too following another foul — a feisty, tetchy opening threatened to derail Rodez before the match had even settled.”
“Antoine Larose broke the deadlock, converting from close range after sustained pressure from a corner, with Paul Venot picking up the assist to give Annecy a deserved half-time lead.”
Pivotal
Annecy
Rodez
Annecy made a confident start to their Ligue 2 campaign, controlling possession at 59% and grinding down a Rodez side that showed plenty of dangerous attacking intent — 43 dangerous attacks to Annecy's 36 — but lacked the cutting edge to convert. The hosts broke the deadlock just before half-time through Antoine Larose, whose 34th-minute goal, assisted by Paul Venot, came from sustained pressure around a corner and gave Annecy a deserved lead. Rodez attempted to press in the second half but were undone by a devastating substitution: Moïse Sahi Dion came off the bench in the 64th minute and had the ball in the net just eight minutes later, turning a tense contest into a comfortable evening for the home side. For Annecy, three points on opening night sets a positive early tone; for Rodez, the double yellow card chaos inside the opening seven minutes and two big chances missed will make for uncomfortable viewing heading into their next fixture.
How entertaining was this match?
Luzolo Vangi Vungele is on, and Jean Lambert Evans is off.
Luzolo Vangi Vungele is on, and Jean Lambert Evans is off.
Corner awarded.
Corner awarded.
Moise Sahi Dion attempts a header but misses the shot.
Corner awarded.
Corner awarded.
Kilyan Veniere replaces Antoine Larose.
Substitution: Pascal Mozie comes on for Mohamed Kone.
Damjan Pavlovic is on, and Antonin Cartillier is off.
Corner awarded.
On comes Steven Luyambulabiwa, off goes Corentin Issanchou Roubiou.
Samy Benchama comes on for Octave Joly.
Kenny Nagera comes on for Mathis Touho.
Moïse Sahi DionMoise Sahi Dion scores with a right-footed shot.
Kadan Young takes a left-footed shot, but it is saved.
Goal! Moise Sahi Dion scores, making it 2-0.
Mohamed Kone takes a right-footed shot but misses.
Corner awarded.
Moise Sahi Dion takes a right-footed shot but misses.
Corner awarded.
Kadan Young comes on for Zepiqueno Redmond.
Moise Sahi Dion is on, and Thibault Rambaud is off.
Kadan Young is coming on for Zepiqueno Redmond.
Moise Sahi Dion is on, and Thibault Rambaud is off.
Corner awarded.
Octave Joly takes a left-footed shot but misses.
Yellow card shown to Mohamed Kone.
Corner awarded.
Corner awarded.
Corner awarded.
Corner awarded.
First half ends with a score of 1-0.
First half ends with the score at 1-0.
Corner awarded.
Corner awarded.
assist: Paul Venot
Corner awarded.
Mathis Touho takes a right-footed shot but misses.
Goal! Antoine Larose scores to make it 1-0, assisted by Paul Venot.
Corner awarded.
Mohamed Kone takes a right-footed shot, but it's saved.
Antoine Larose takes a left-footed shot, but it's saved.
Corner awarded.
Antoine Larose takes a left-footed shot, but it is blocked.
Corner awarded.
Corner awarded.
Shot by Ibrahima Balde with his left foot is saved.
Corner awarded.
Matteo Veillon comes on for Francois Lajugie.
François LajugieYellow CardFrancois Lajugie receives a yellow card.
Kick-off! The referee is Geoffrey Kubler.
Annecy host Rodez on Friday evening in a Ligue 2 clash carrying some genuine intrigue: both sides arrive with opening-day wins, but Rodez carry a remarkable 23-match unbeaten league run and a 36-year stranglehold over their hosts. Can Annecy finally break the curse on home soil?
