Sochaux and Auxerre Share Points in Pre-Season Friendly
Sochaux and Auxerre played out a 1:1 draw in a club friendly on Friday, 1 August 2026. The match came as both Burgundian clubs prepared for the new season. By then, summer friendlies had already given managers plenty of material to work with.The home side arrived in poor shape. Sochaux had lost three of their four most recent matches before this one, including a heavy 1:4 defeat to Metz and a 0:3 loss to Dijon. To be fair, they had beaten Zurich 2:1 earlier in the month, showing flashes of promise. And here's the thing — pre-season results rarely predict league form.
Auxerre came from a different direction entirely. Their last five matches read like a better run: wins against Angers, Lille, and Saint-Maur L'UJL, with losses to Orleans and Nassau. They had scored five goals against Saint-Maur two weeks earlier, suggesting an attack finding its feet. The visitors held firm against Sochaux, which counts for something in a friendly.
The match itself offered few defining moments. Both sides exchanged goals but nothing more. It was a chance to test combinations rather than settle any arguments. The draw keeps both teams level on points in their preparation, though neither can claim superiority.
What matters more than this result is the trajectory each club is on. Sochaux need to turn their defensive frailties around — conceding eight goals in three games is not ideal. Auxerre's attacking display against Saint-Maur gives them confidence, but real tests lie ahead. The season starts properly in August, and this was just one afternoon.
Both clubs will take away different lessons from August first. Sochaux must tighten up at the back. Auxerre can build on their attacking rhythm. The standings won't change for another month, but these friendlies set the tone.