Estac Troyes vs RED Star FC 93

Troyes head coach Stéphane Dumont fielded a completely different XI in each half, with 22 players seeing game time across the 90 minutes.

First-half XI: Konaté – Titi, Monfray, Diaz, Boura – Diop, Donkor – Soukouna, Ifnaoui, Koné – K. Diawara

Second-half XI: Boucher – Maronnier, Gozzi, S. Diawara, Ouzenadji – Phliponeau, Murcy – Traoré, Ripart, Batola – Ondoa

The first period ended goalless, with neither side able to break through. Batola entered at half-time as part of the complete reshuffle and made the decisive contribution just past the hour mark, turning home from close range after a chaotic sequence in the Red Star box.

Batola's 56th-minute goal was the only separating moment in a tightly contested friendly. The young striker's opportunistic finish — described by L'Équipe as coming from a "very confused" action — rewarded Troyes' second-half pressure and ensured Dumont's side maintained their unbeaten start to pre-season.

• Christ Batola (Troyes) — The 17-year-old academy product scored his second goal in two pre-season matches, continuing his eye-catching start to the summer. He signed his first professional contract with Troyes in June 2026.
• Zacharie Boucher (Troyes) — The experienced goalkeeper kept a clean sheet in the second half, organising a defence that included three changes from the first-half backline.
• Red Star defence — The Ligue 2 side held firm for 55 minutes against Troyes' rotated attack but were undone by the one moment of chaos in their box.

The match was played behind closed doors at Stade de l'Aube, Troyes' home ground, as both sides continued their pre-season preparations. Dumont's rotation policy — two entirely different XIs — meant the game lacked attacking rhythm in the first half but improved after the break. Troyes' defensive solidity was notable: they conceded only one goal across their two pre-season matches so far (a 3-1 win over Nancy and this 1-0 victory).

Troyes have won both of their pre-season friendlies so far, building momentum ahead of their return to Ligue 1 after promotion. The club confirmed the signing of goalkeeper Patrick Beach on 19 July, while Jocelyn Blanchard was named sporting director on 17 July.

Red Star FC 93, also preparing for the 2026-27 Ligue 2 season, are still searching for their first pre-season result.

Next fixtures:

• Troyes vs Grenoble Foot 38 (L2) — Saturday 25 July, Le Chambon-sur-Lignon (16:00 CEST)
• Red Star FC 93 — opponent and date TBC

A low-key but productive work-out for Dumont's Troyes, who used the full squad across two halves and got another goal from their promising teenager Batola. The clean sheet and controlled performance suggest the Ligue 1 newcomers are building steadily, though the lack of a cutting edge in the first half will need addressing before the season starts on 22 August against Paris FC.