Rodez AF dropped two points after being held to a 2-2 draw at home by Pau on Friday in Ligue 2. This result prevented the Aveyron club from fully capitalising on leader Saint-Étienne's upcoming match and keeps them in third place with seven points.
Le Figaro reported on the events of this fourth matchday, where several contenders stumbled. Montpellier, in second, also drew 0-0 against Boulogne, missing a penalty and hitting the crossbar. Rodez now has a record of two wins, one draw, and one loss from four games, sitting just behind the league leaders.
How did the match against Pau unfold?
Pau took an early lead through Babacar Leye, who scored a brace in the 2nd and 37th minutes. Rodez pulled one back before halftime through Ibrahima Baldé, confirming his status as the league's top scorer with five goals, including a hat-trick the previous week against Nantes. The Ruthénois comeback was completed in the 83rd minute by Octave Joly, salvaging a point.
The team showed character to fight back, but the draw feels like a missed opportunity. With ten goals scored and seven conceded this season, the attack is firing but the defence needs tightening. This result leaves Rodez just two points behind leaders Saint-Étienne, who play at Dijon on Monday.
What is the impact on the Ligue 2 standings?
The matchday was marked by tight results. Nancy, who beat Dunkerque 2-0 after the opposing goalkeeper's red card, joined Rodez on seven points. Grenoble finally secured their first win by beating Laval 3-0, bouncing back from a heavy defeat to Saint-Étienne. The clash between Clermont and Sochaux ended 0-0, with Sochaux hitting the post.
The title race remains very tight at the top. You can follow the evolving chase on our standings page. Saturday's fixtures, featuring the clashes between Annecy and Metz and Red Star against Reims, could further shuffle the pack. Nantes, still on zero points, will try to kickstart their season at Guingamp with new coach Grégory Poirier.
What's next for Rodez?
The team must quickly turn the page and prepare for their away trip to Metz on 5 September 2026. Les Grenats, currently seventh, will be a tough opponent in the race for the top spots. This away fixture is crucial for maintaining momentum ahead of a decisive run of games.
The schedule for upcoming matches is available on our fixtures page. The squad will need to rely on its strengths, particularly the offensive efficiency led by Ibrahima Baldé, to bring back a positive result from the road. The gap to the leader is slim, just two points, and every match now counts.
