Rodez AF salvaged a home draw against Pau this weekend, a result that comes amid intense speculation surrounding their star striker. The Aveyron club, fourth in Ligue 2 with seven points, was twice behind before finally equalising in the closing minutes.
How did the match against Pau unfold?
According to the match report from L'Équipe, Rodez conceded an early opener in the second minute from Babacar Leye. Ibrahima Baldé restored parity in the 28th minute, but Leye gave Pau a new lead just before halftime. Despite this pressure, Didier Santini's team persisted and found their reward in the 83rd minute through a goal from substitute Octave Joly, sealing the 2-2 final score.
This point allows Rodez to keep their fourth-place standing, just two points behind leaders Saint-Étienne. With ten goals scored and seven conceded, the Ruthénois attack remains one of the most prolific in the league. This positive result comes ahead of a significant away fixture at Metz on September 5th, which you can find on our fixtures page.
What is the future for Ibrahima Baldé?
Centre Presse Aveyron reports that the 23-year-old striker, currently Ligue 2's top scorer, is the subject of strong interest but no formal offer has been lodged with the club at this stage. Several national media outlets, including L'Équipe, mention serious interest from Glasgow Rangers, but nothing concrete has materialised yet. With the transfer window closing this Tuesday at 8 PM, the situation could evolve rapidly.
Baldé, who arrived on a free from Lens, has his market value estimated around three million euros. A departure at that price would make him the biggest sale in RAF history, potentially surpassing that of Taïryk Arconte to Millwall FC. In 67 appearances for the club, he has scored 25 goals, a club record in Ligue 2.
What is the club's situation in the league?
An analysis from Sports - Orange positions Rodez as the closest challenger to second-placed Montpellier after this draw. The RAF has a record of two wins, one draw, and one loss after four matchdays. Their recent form is mixed (DWLW), but their scoring ability, illustrated by the five goals scored at Nantes the previous week (2-5), remains a major asset for the rest of the season.
The club therefore has solid arguments to aim for the top of the table, which you can view in detail on our standings page. The defence, which has conceded seven goals, will need to be more disciplined, especially away from home.
What to expect from the next match?
Focus now shifts to the trip to Metz, scheduled for Saturday, September 5th. The Grenats, currently seventh, will be a tough opponent for Rodez, who will look to confirm their strong start to the season on the road. This match will be an opportunity to see if the team can find consistency and stay on the heels of the leaders.
With Baldé's immediate future still uncertain, the collective performance and contribution from other players like Joly will be under scrutiny. The squad will need to block out transfer rumours and focus on the sporting challenge, which is essential in the promotion race.
