Amiens SC demonstrated resilience by securing a 1-0 victory against Annecy FC at the Stade de la Licorne on Saturday, February 1, 2025. After suffering defeat to Martigues last week, Amiens reasserted their presence in Ligue 2, aided by the return of key player Victor Lobry, who made a significant impact throughout the match.
Despite the challenges posed by frigid temperatures and concurrent local events attracting potential fans away, the atmosphere at the Licorne was charged with anticipation. Urhoghide's suspension and Boya's absence—en route to Mexico—loomed over the Amiens squad, but the inclusion of Lobry, starting for the first time this season, brought much-needed energy and creativity to the midfield.
The first half saw Amiens being proactive as they nearly struck first with Mafouta's close-range shot hitting the post. Soon after, the breakthrough came when Lutin delivered a cross to Leautey, who capitalized on the deflection off the defense to put Amiens up 1-0 in the 27th minute. Thanks to Lobry's midfield orchestrations, the home team retained their lead, showcasing tactical discipline and determination.
Annecy faced additional struggles just before halftime as their forward Djoco was shown a red card for a tackle on Jaouab, leaving his team to play the second half with ten players. The first half concluded with Amiens visibly revitalized after scoring and tempering the frustration expressed by their supporters earlier on.
During the second period, Amiens pushed for more goals, showcasing increased possession and pressure. They generated several corner opportunities and came close to doubling the score with Kandil's chance being saved by Annecy's goalkeeper, Escales. Despite these threats, the visitors managed to remain cohesive under pressure and often attempted counterattacks.
Laurent Guyot, Annecy's coach, expressed disappointment with the performance of the referee, particularly highlighting Djoco's red card as undeserved. “We didn’t start the match well, and we deserved at least one equalizer,” said Guyot, emphasizing the unjust nature of the officiated decision which undermined his team's effort.
Meanwhile, Amiens coach Omar Daf praised his team's response. “It was important to react cohesively, especially after our last match. We’ve closed the gap to teams above us, and the effort was commendable,” he noted, signaling optimism for future matches.
This victory moved Amiens closer to mid-table comfort as they aim to build on this momentum heading to their next clash against Lorient. Underpinned by the notable return of Lobry and improved team spirit, there's potential for the Amiens players to find their stride as the season progresses.
Final Score: Amiens SC 1, Annecy FC 0.
Goals: Leautey (27') for Amiens.
Yellow Cards: Vita (35'), Corchia (87'), Jaouab (89') for Amiens; Pajot (90') for Annecy.
Red Card: Djoco (45') for Annecy.
Attendees: 5009 supporters filled the stadium.