Rodez Aveyron Football was held to a 2-2 draw by Pau on Friday, August 28th in Ligue 2, in a match where striker Ibrahima Baldé continued his fine form. This result comes as the club, sitting third in the table with six points, prepares for a crucial away trip to Metz next weekend.

How did the match against Pau unfold?

RAF took the lead in the 28th minute through Ibrahima Baldé, confirming his brilliant start to the season. Pau equalized through Babacar Leye in the 37th minute, before Octave Joly scored the final 2-2 equalizer for the visitors in the 83rd minute, as per the match summary from L'Équipe. The game was intense, with several substitutions and yellow cards shown, including one to Pau's Ryan Lipinski as early as the 3rd minute.

This performance keeps Rodez near the top of the table, just three points behind leaders Saint-Étienne. The team has scored eight goals and conceded five in three matches, with a record of two wins and one loss. Fans can track the league position on our standings page.

Who is Ibrahima Baldé, the man in form?

The 23-year-old striker is enjoying a spectacular revival at RAF, as detailed in a report by Yahoo Actualités. Arriving in 2024 after a year out injured at Lens, Baldé was given a chance by sporting director Grégory Ursule. "He was at the end of his contract. We convinced him to join us to get back on his feet, to restart his career," Ursule explained.

The gamble has paid off handsomely. Baldé scored seven goals in his first season, twelve in the next, and is already among the goals this 2026-2027 campaign. "You can't dream of a better start to the season," admits the player, who acknowledges the long road back. He praises the club's environment: "It's a family club with good people, where they don't put pressure on you."

What does the reserve team's return to N2 mean?

The RAF reserve team is back in National 2, the French fifth tier, after a three-season absence. According to Centre Presse Aveyron, this promotion, achieved last season, was not a primary objective but marks a success for the academy. The very young squad is now led by Eric Duraisin, who succeeds Florent Rech.

"We are starting a new cycle with many players from the 2008 generation," said the new coach. The squad is made up of players born between 2006 and 2009, a first for the club. The stated goal remains youth development, with the hope that some will graduate to the first team, as already happens during training sessions.

What's next for RAF?

The first team must now focus on its trip to Metz, who are sixth in the table, on September 5th. This match will be an important test to confirm Rodez's strong start in Ligue 2. The full schedule is available on our fixtures page.

Meanwhile, the reserves begin their National 2 campaign in a South-West group, with a highly anticipated derby against neighbours Onet-le-Château scheduled for January. "I'm happy to be in this group," said Eric Duraisin, who believes the playing style of the teams will suit his group. The season promises to be busy on all fronts for the Aveyron club, which is betting on both first-team experience and youth in the reserves.