Lassine Sinayoko comes in clutch for Auxerre

With four goals in Auxerre's last three games of the Ligue 1 McDonald's season, Lassine Sinayoko is the pivotal figure in the club's successful attempt to retain their top-flight status

Auxerre's insistence justified

Auxerre fought hard to keep hold of Sinayoko last summer. The Mali international was the subject of interest from Ligue 1 McDonald's rivals Nice and Lens last season. The former were particularly insistent on signing the forward.

L'AJA were desperate to retain him, however, despite the bids received. He has justified the Bourgogne club's insistence. "You understand why I insisted on him staying last summer and also why he is the first name on the team sheet. I discovered him when I arrived, and I have always appreciated his selflessness and his mindset. He is one of the best forwards in Ligue 1 McDonald's, and he is a key player for us," said Christophe Pélissier.

Even despite the Malian's continued presence at the Stade de l'Abbés-Descamps, it didn't look to be enough to avoid Auxerre from the drop to Ligue 2 BKT for much of the season.

Sinayoko, that’s what we call top bins 🫨 pic.twitter.com/AH3ugEe3i5
— Ligue 1 English (@Ligue1_ENG) May 17, 2026

Prior to his late charge, Sinayoko had scored just six goals in Ligue 1 McDonald's; he would go on to score six in his last seven and help Auxerre climb out of the drop zone. Those goals have been absolutely crucial. His finish against Le Havre was worth one point, as was his strike in a 2-2 draw against Monaco. He got a goal and an assist in a 3-1 win over Angers, the winner against OGC Nice last weekend and both goals in the club's surprise 2-0 win over Lille on Sunday night; that included a screamer from an incredibly tight angle, which left Berke Ozer completely bamboozled in the LOSC goal. Overall, his goal contributions have been worth nine points in the last seven games in Ligue 1 McDonald's; that is the difference between survival and relegation.

Sinayoko jokes Auxerre could have been title contenders

His team-mate, Elisha Owusu, recently spoke of the "endless good vibes and positivity" that Sinayoko brings to the squad, but it is his goals that have made the difference in these final weeks of the season.

The run-in has been intense for Pelissier's men, who have had to handle the threat of relegation throughout the campaign. Post-match, Sinayoko was in a jovial and light-hearted mood. "If we started the season as we ended it (three wins in a row), we maybe would have been playing for the title!" he joked.

Lassine Sinayoko, Auxerre's hero 🇲🇱 pic.twitter.com/7gpNZjkRcL
— Ligue 1 English (@Ligue1_ENG) May 10, 2026

Safety is enough for this Auxerre side, and it is Sinayoko, who has timed his return to form absolutely perfectly, who has been the key to securing it.

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