Le Mans FC earned a valuable point away to Auxerre on Sunday in Ligue 1, playing out a 1-1 draw. Videira's side took the lead but were pegged back, a result that keeps them 16th in the table with 6 points from seven games, a record of one win, three draws and three losses. They have scored 10 goals and conceded 15 for a -5 goal difference.
Lucas Buadés opened the scoring for Le Mans in the 48th minute, assisted by Lucas Bretelle. Auxerre's reply came eight minutes later through Cameron Archer. Goalkeeper Kocik was key with five saves, securing the draw despite the home side's dominance of possession (60%).
The key man: Buadés delivers
Goalscorer Lucas Buadés also received a yellow card in the first half. His goal, his first of the season, gave the advantage to a team that had conceded three without reply in a 0-3 defeat to Toulouse last time out. Top scorer Mafouta, with four goals in seven appearances this season, was kept off the scoresheet.
Context and what's next
The point allows Le Mans to maintain a slight buffer above the relegation zone. The club sits 16th with six points, just one point above the first relegation spot occupied by their next opponent, Troyes. The trip to the Stade de l'Aube is set for Saturday 31 October at 20:45. The last meeting between the two sides, in January, ended in a 2-0 win for Le Mans. The upcoming fixtures will be key to solidify this position. Videira made five substitutions during the match, including introducing Dame Gueye for Habib Diallo.
The back three of Djibril Sidibé, Yohou and Raúl Torrente held firm under pressure. This draw at Auxerre comes amid a recent run of one win, one draw and three losses in their last five matches, a sequence that also includes defeats to Paris Saint Germain (3-1) and Guingamp (2-1). Le Mans therefore end October with an encouraging performance ahead of a decisive run of games, now sitting eight points behind the leaders, Lyon.
On October 26, Will Still contested Lucas Buadés's goal in the 1-1 draw at Auxerre. The Auxerre manager stated the referee had informed him of a technical issue. "They told me: 'only 2 of the 4 watches went off, we had an IT problem, it's unprecedented'," said Still. Le Mans, now 15th with 7 points, will travel to Troyes on October 31.
On October 26, AJA's official site confirmed the sequence of the 1-1 draw. The Auxerre club recounted the late missed chance by L. Mafouta. "Alone against Nardi, Mafouta sees his attempt fly over," AJA wrote. Le Mans, 15th with 7 points and 11 goals scored this season, will face Troyes on October 31.
