Recap: Traorè, Stassin Continue Impressive Form in AJA-ASSE Draw

AJ Auxerre and Saint-Étienne kicked off Matchday 19 with a 1-1 draw on Friday night at Stade de l'Abbé-Deschamps.

The first 45 minutes of the contest saw Saint-Étienne record the most total shots with six while Auxerre registered four. Despite conceding more total shots, it was the home side that opened the scoring.

In the 27th minute, Hamed Traorè put AJA ahead 1-0 with a well-placed right-footed shot from outside the box, thanks to an assist from Elisha Owusu. Auxerre was minutes away from heading into halftime with the lead, but they conceded a goal right before the break.

Just before halftime, Lucas Stassin equalized for Saint-Étienne in the 45th minute, scoring with a close-range header from a set-piece delivery. In the second half though, it would be AJA who attempted to secure the second goal of the contest.

Auxerre recorded seven total shots in the final 45 minutes while ASSE countered with two shots, but neither side could find the back of the net as the contest ended 1-1.

After the match, Traorè spoke postgame about his goal and the result for the home side.

"The goal? It’s something we worked on in training: drawing the opponent to one side and then quickly switching play to the other. Lassine Sinayoko made a great run. There were moments when we played well and built some good attacks, but I think we lacked a bit of technical precision in the final third, just outside the box. We were also up against a team that was trying to impose their style of play."

"It was a tough and frustrating match, but we leave with a point, so we have to keep moving forward. We fought for every ball, and we’ll keep fighting, match after match, until the end to reach our goal. Of course, playing at home gives us an extra boost. If we could take Stade de l'Abbé-Deschamps with us everywhere, that would be perfect!"

The Stat: Lucas Stassin and Hamed Traorè's impressive form

Traorè is the first player from Auxerre to score eight goals after 19 matchdays of Ligue 1 McDonald's since Djibril Cissé in the 2003-04 season when he scored 14. As for Stassin, the ASSE standout has contributed to six goals in his last nine starts in Ligue 1 McDonald's, with three goals and three assists.

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