Rodez achieves a key victory against Saint-Etienne (2-1) on Saturday, May 2, putting them in control of their fate in the race for the top 5. An intense final matchday awaits, as they could finish anywhere from 3rd to 7th place before facing a direct competitor.
The last championship matchday holds many stakes for Rodez, who have increased their chances of making it to the playoffs but have little room for error. Following their impressive win against Saint-Etienne, Didier Santini’s men now sit in fifth place, a first for them this season. This victory extends their unbeaten streak in Ligue 2 to 19 matches. However, securing a spot in the top 5 will likely require a win against Annecy on Saturday, May 9, to experience the thrill of knockout matches, as they did two years ago.
One thing is certain; a defeat in Haute-Savoie would mean the end of the season next week for Rodez. They will face a direct competitor who could overtake them with a win on the final matchday. Annecy will need more than just a win to secure 5th place; they must also rely on Reims failing to defeat Pau simultaneously.
“This is a final against another playoff contender,” summarized Didier Santini. Both teams will need to win, with success depending on precision, patience, and sticking to their principles. Despite not having the same streak as Rodez, Laurent Guyot’s team has been in good form, earning 13 points in their last 5 matches, including convincing wins against Nancy and Pau.
A draw may not be enough for Rodez to stay in 5th place. A tie could allow Reims to surpass them with a victory. However, history suggests that Rodez has performed well in Annecy, having never lost there since the High-Savoyards returned to Ligue 2 in 2022.
Rodez may aim for a higher ranking in the final matchday, as they are only two points away from the podium. However, their destiny is not entirely in their hands. They must secure a win and hope for losses by Saint-Etienne against Amiens and Red Star against Montpellier to improve their position. A 4th place finish would be advantageous, allowing them to host the first playoff match, while the 3rd place team will be exempt from the initial playoff before playing at home.
