Rodez wins on the last day and will play in the play

Essential
Winner of Annecy this Saturday, May 9th during the last day of Ligue 2, RAF has secured its place in the top five and will compete in the play-offs, dreaming of promotion to Ligue 1.

Rodez in Ligue 1, the dream is still alive! The Aveyron group had one last mission, to win their “final” on the field in Annecy, which could overtake Sang et Or. Mission accomplished (2-1), with a 2-1 victory fueling the incredible unbeaten streak of the Ruthénois in Ligue 2 to 20 matches. Didier Santini’s men have not suffered defeat in the championship since November 7, and finished the season on a high note, with victories against the leader Troyes and Saint-Étienne in recent weeks, before securing fifth place in the standings this Saturday. Thanks to goals from Baldé and Arconte scored in the first half, the Aveyronnais rolled out the red carpet which, if they continue on this path, could lead them to Ligue 1.

Meeting at Red Star as early as Tuesday

But it’s not time to celebrate for the Ruthénois. As early as Tuesday, they will face Red Star at Stade Bauer for the first play-off match. If they qualify, they will then meet Saint-Étienne, who finished third, in a rematch of the 2024 match, where RAF lost to Geoffroy-Guichard (2-0) and bid farewell to their Ligue 1 dream. This second play-off is scheduled for Friday, May 15, and will take place in Saint-Étienne. The Greens have therefore failed in their mission to return directly to Ligue 1, with the first two places taken by champion Troyes and Le Mans, who will return to the elite after 16 years. The Mansians are not yet officially promoted as of writing this, since their match against Bastia was interrupted due to smoke bombs and agricultural bombs being thrown in the stands while the Corsicans were leading 2-0 towards the end of the game. But the outcome is hardly in doubt. And for Rodez, the adventure continues!