Auxerre Holds Lyon to a Goalless Draw Amid Missed Chances
Today, at the Stade de l’Abbé-Deschamps, Auxerre and Lyon played out a tense goalless draw in the 13th round of the 2025-2026 Ligue 1 season. Both teams arrived heavily affected by injuries, which made the match even more unpredictable. Despite Lyon dominating possession with 64% compared to Auxerre’s 36%, the visitors struggled to convert their control into goals, while the home side defended resolutely.
The first half was a rollercoaster for Auxerre fans. The Icaunais were full of energy and sharp in attack, yet their efforts were undermined by a VAR intervention that canceled a Matondo goal. Soon after, Sinayoko missed a penalty, a moment that could have changed the course of the game. Lyon, on the other hand, appeared shaky defensively and failed to impose the authority expected from a team of their stature. Corentin Tolisso and Tanner Tessmann tried to test Auxerre’s goalkeeper, Donovan Léon, with long-range and angled shots, but Léon stood firm, preserving the clean sheet.
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As the second half kicked off, Lyon made an early change, bringing Pavel Sulc on for Khalis Merah in midfield. Lyon immediately became more assertive, pushing forward and creating several dangerous opportunities. Afonso Moreira had a close chance, meeting a Karabec cross with a deft header, only for Léon to make a crucial save near his post. Lyon also earned a corner, but the Auxerre defense held strong, refusing to concede despite the visitors’ persistent pressure.
Auxerre’s approach was largely defensive after halftime. They absorbed Lyon’s attacks, occasionally attempting to respond on the counter, but they struggled to sustain offensive momentum. Sékou Mara and Danny Namaso had glimpses of danger in front of goal, but Lyon’s goalkeeper Dominik Greif and Auxerre’s defensive discipline ensured that neither team could break the deadlock.
By the 55th minute, it was clear that both sides were evenly matched in terms of grit, if not in possession. Lyon’s menaces were frequent, but the finishing was lacking, while Auxerre’s counterattacks remained sporadic but resilient. The game, marked by missed chances, late tackles, and tactical substitutions, reflected the struggles of two teams trying to navigate a challenging season.
At halftime, the match stood at 0-0, and by the hour mark, the scoreline had not changed. Auxerre may have felt frustrated by their squandered opportunities, while Lyon will leave Abbé-Deschamps reflecting on how they dominated possession but failed to secure the three points. Both teams demonstrated determination and resolve, but ultimately, neither could find the breakthrough in this tightly contested Ligue 1 encounter.
The stalemate leaves Lyon with just one win in six league matches and Auxerre demonstrating that even the league’s struggling sides can frustrate one of France’s traditional giants when the occasion demands it. The battle at Abbé-Deschamps was a reminder of how fine margins and missed chances define the drama of football.
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