Will Still’s first two matches in charge of AJ Auxerre have brought the kind of start no coach wants: two defeats, eight goals conceded and an early reminder that there is still plenty of work to do before the trip to Lyon.
Auxerre were beaten 5-2 at Lens in Still’s opening match, then lost 1-3 against Angers in his second game. That leaves the club searching for answers quickly, especially after an early spell in which the new head coach has already had to adjust to a team still in transition.
Still says Auxerre know where they went wrong
Before facing Lyon, Still was candid about the size of the problem. He said it is frustrating to lose the first two matches, and he pointed directly to the defensive record, noting that eight goals are far too many to concede in two games.
Still also stressed that the situation is part of the reality of football at this stage of the season. Auxerre have had three departures and three arrivals, and he said there are many new things to absorb and put in place. He thanked James Zhou for the investment, but made clear that the process will take time.
His message to the group was simple: Auxerre know where they failed, now they have to keep working, lower their heads and avoid feeling sorry for themselves. In Still’s view, the response has to come through repetition and daily work, not panic.
Lyon prepare for multiple scenarios
Paulo Fonseca has also taken notice of the changes around Auxerre. He said he knows Still well and views him as a quality coach who needs time to install his ideas. Fonseca added that no firm conclusions should be drawn from just two matches, and he expects Auxerre to improve over the course of the season.
That uncertainty is part of the challenge for Lyon. Fonseca said Still changed systems between his first two matches, so Lyon have prepared different scenarios for the game. It is a useful sign of respect, but also a reminder that Auxerre are still in the early stages of building their identity under a new coach.
Still replaced Christophe Pelissier at the start of the season, and the opening stretch has already shown how much there is to manage. The results have been poor, but the next few weeks will say more about whether Auxerre can settle quickly and turn the page.
