Rodez ended a five-match losing skid on Saturday, October 24, with a 2-1 victory over Dijon, capped by an injury-time winner. The result lifts the squad out of a difficult stretch marked by defensive struggles and heavy possession deficits. Antonin Cartillier opened the scoring for the visitors, netting his first goal since joining the club, before a late decider secured all three points on the road.

Cartillier Highlights Defensive Resilience and Team Unity

Speaking after the fixture, Cartillier pointed to the team’s collective fight during long spells without the ball as the cornerstone of the victory. Dijon dominated possession throughout the 90 minutes, leaving Rodez with just 27 percent of the ball. Rather than crumbling under the pressure, the visitors absorbed waves of attacks and struck on the counter.

“We managed to suffer well because the Dijon players had a large share of possession, but we knew how to counter-attack them well,” Cartillier told local media. “I also really liked the solidarity there was between us. When you have so little of the ball, it can play tricks on your mind, but we stayed solid.”

Rodez Avoids Late Defensive Lapses to Secure Result

For a team accustomed to letting matches slip during periods of sustained pressure, Saturday’s performance offered a tangible shift in mentality. After Dijon found an equalizer, Rodez avoided the defensive lapses that previously defined their poor run of form. Cartillier noted that handling their defensive trough effectively proved to be the decisive factor in securing the result.

“Our weak point for a long time has been conceding a lot of goals when we were playing less well,” Cartillier said. “This time, we managed our difficult period well, and that is what made our strength.”

Dedication to Coach Didier Santini Following Surgery

The victory arrived amid a testing week for the club off the pitch. Following the final whistle in Dijon, the club president placed a phone call from the away dressing room to coach Didier Santini, who is currently recovering from a surgical procedure. Cartillier acknowledged that the squad felt a strong obligation to secure a result for their absent manager.

“Football takes up a big place in our lives, we only think about that,” Cartillier said. “And right now, something serious is happening off the pitch. We owed it to the coach to at least offer him this victory during this more complicated period for him.”

Rodez Prepares for Next Fixtures to Build Consistency

Rodez returns to training this week to prepare for their upcoming fixtures, aiming to build consistency and refine their tactical connections on the pitch. The club will look to carry the momentum from their performance in Dijon into their next scheduled encounter.