AC Ajaccio – Grenoble 2-0
Stade Michel-Moretti
Approximately 2,500 spectators
Referee: Mr Gaël Angoula
Goals: Soumano (58th), Jabol (71st) for the ACA
Warnings: Joseph (25th) in Grenoble; Ibayi (47th), Santelli (49th), Jabol (73rd) for ACA
AC Ajaccio
Sollacaro, Strata, Kouassi, Bamba (Vidal, 77e), Ayessa, Jacob (Kanté, 59e), Jabol, Puch, Santelli (Anziani, 77e), Ibayi (Touzghar, 59e), Soumano (Chegra, 67e), Trainer: Mathieu Chabert
Grenoble
Diop, Diarra, Delos, Mouyokolo, Paquiez, Benet (Kerouedan, 71st), Valls, Mbemba (Rigo, 46th), Bangre, Joseph, Jabbari (Mendy, 59th), coach: Oswald Tanchot
After the defeat in Caen last Friday, AC Ajaccio was keen to react when they hosted Grenoble, the 3rd in the championship, on the 6th day of Ligue 2. As usual, Mathieu Chabert, keen to keep his troops fresh, made a few changes compared to Friday’s match in Caen and decided to line up a 4-3-3 team with a midfield made up of Jacob, Jabol and Puch, and a trio of attackers made up of Santelli, Ibayi and Soumano.
A very dull first half
And, it was in pouring rain and weather that would have put a fan out of the door, that the two teams started the match. For long minutes, the two teams engaged in a tough battle in midfield to win possession and impose their game, without creating dangerous situations. Only Valentin Jacob, following a mix-up, managed to show off but his shot, which was too high, did not find Mamadou Diop’s frame (21st). Grenoble did not create any more clear-cut chances even if Théo Valls was stopped at the last moment by Ayessa, in the Ajaccio area (33rd). Then, on a long ball, Ibayi put the ball back into Soumano’s path, but the Ajaccio striker, although in a good position, did not frame the offering (40th). On the counter, Lenny Joseph also lacked precision against Sollacaro (41st). Like a very dull first half with few opportunities.
Soumano opens the scoring
After the break, the game finally got heated, and after a shot off target by Lenny Joseph, Santelli won his duel and got into a shooting position, but was blocked at the last moment by the Grenoble defense (54th). In the process, Rigo on the edge of the Ajaccio surface was not far from finding the target (55th). On an Ajaccio counter, and a good move between Jacob and Ibayi, Santelli saw his shot blocked in extremis.
On the corner, Soumano acrobatically took the ball which lodged in Mamadou Diop’s top corner (58th). The game accelerated again and Pape Ba, barely in play, came back on his right foot, but his lobbed shot did not surprise the inspired Sollacaro (66th). The two teams traded blows and on an Ajaccio counter, Touzghar, alone on the right side, crossed low for Soumano who was too short to score his second goal of the evening. But on another Ajaccio corner, Tim Jabol was quicker than the Grenoble defense to cut the trajectory and score the second Ajaccio goal (71st). A second goal which then cut the Grenoble momentum and which allowed the ACA to calmly manage the end of the match and thus win a convincing victory. Thanks to this victory, Ajaccio climbs to 7th place equal in Ligue 2 with 10 points and continues their flawless run at home with 3 wins in as many matches. Next matchday Friday with a trip to Lorient.