AJ Auxerre sits bottom of Ligue 1 with zero points after two defeats to start the 2026-2027 season. The Burgundy club has conceded eight goals in just two matches, an alarming situation reported by L'Equipe Football this week.
The stats are stark: two losses, three goals scored and eight conceded, for a -5 goal difference. Auxerre already finds itself four points behind leaders Lille and must travel to face Lyon, currently second in the table, on Friday. A reaction is urgently needed.
Why has the season started so poorly?
The AJ Auxerre team suffered a heavy 5-2 away defeat to Lens on August 22, then fell 1-3 at home to Angers last Saturday. Against Angers, two of the conceded goals came from set pieces in the 70th and 78th minutes, highlighting defensive frailties. The loss at Lens was compounded by the sending off of central defender Christ Makosso, who arrived from Luton Town on July 15. Four of Lens's five goals came while AJA were down to ten men.
Will Still, the 33-year-old Anglo-Belgian coach, becomes the first manager in the club's history to start his tenure with two Ligue 1 defeats. He met with a delegation of supporters on Thursday in a cordial atmosphere, but loud whistles greeted the final whistle against Angers. The manager remains clear-eyed. "It's up to us to grow up, and fast!", he said.
How is the transfer window affecting the squad?
The transfer window closes on Tuesday at 20:00, and activity at Auxerre may be limited by a stated budget of 50 million euros. Will Still indicated that one or two departures are possible, as are one or two arrivals, likely a forward and a defender. The situation of midfielder and captain Kévin Danois, the 22-year-old from Guadeloupe, is under scrutiny. Crystal Palace and Nottingham Forest are interested in him.
Asked about a potential departure, Still was clear: "À la question qui va suivre sur Kévin Danois, je réponds non, je ne pense pas qu'il partira et je suis assez confiant là-dessus." According to L'Equipe, it would take an astronomical offer, exceeding 35 million euros, to make him move, a prospect deemed unlikely in the current state. The player himself is reportedly not very keen to leave the club immediately. You can check the full squad composition on our squad page.
How has Will Still adapted his team?
Facing difficulties, the manager had to make adjustments. Against Angers, he gave 18-year-old academy product Elikya Legros his first Ligue 1 start. The youngster received a yellow card in the 50th minute before being substituted in the 62nd for Fredrik Oppegard. Furthermore, Clément Akpa was repositioned centrally during the match.
These changes were not enough to stop the poor run. The bad start, according to Still, "changes nothing" for the long-term vision, but the pressure is palpable. The defense, which has already conceded eight goals, is a critical area for improvement, as shown by the early-season defensive stats.
What is the next step for Auxerre?
The next challenge is a perilous trip to Lyon on Friday, September 4 at 19:00. Lyon currently occupies second place in the championship, promising a very lopsided matchup on paper. To reverse the trend, Auxerre will need to rediscover collective defensive solidity and efficiency in front of goal.
The current league standings show the urgency of the situation. With zero points, AJA can no longer afford to accumulate poor results. The reaction of the team and its young coach during this trip to Lyon will be decisive for the rest of the season. The schedule for upcoming matches is available on our fixtures page.
