Lassine Sinayoko ends goal drought to lift Auxerre | OneFootball

Lassine Sinayoko ended a four-month Ligue 1 drought with the opener at Le Havre as Auxerre drew 1-1 on matchday 28, a timely lift for the 16th-placed side.

At Stade Océane he struck his first top-flight goal since his double against Lille on 14 December, a 4-3 defeat. Auxerre led before being pegged back. L'Équipe reports that head coach Christophe Pelissier highlighted how different Auxerre look with or without Sinayoko.

He felt Le Havre’s powerful centre-backs tracked him closely and said the forward took the one big chance he had. He added that upcoming home matches will be vital, so they will need a big Sinayoko.

Sinayoko has not scored often, with only one open-play goal since late August, also against Lille. He still shaped games with an assist at Metz and two shots that led to own goals in Auxerre’s only away win this season.

He joked he was counting those Metz efforts but admitted the goal felt good. In Le Havre he also slipped a deft back-heel to Danny Namaso and sent an overhead kick just wide, signs his confidence is returning.

He rated himself short of 100 per cent but said things are much better, with the 3-0 win over Brest on 21 March giving an extra boost.

Auxerre’s ultras marked their 35th anniversary, from 1990 to 2025, with flares, banners and tifos. With Sinayoko finding form again, their survival bid could benefit in the weeks ahead.

Source: L'Équipe