Friendlies Clubs· Season 2026
Boulogne beat Amiens 1-0 in a pre-season friendly at Camon, with Sohan Paillard scoring the only goal. Victory came at a cost as Martin Lécolier was injured.
Match Analysis
AI SummaryHow it unfolded
A goalless first half saw both sides feeling each other out in sweltering conditions in the Somme. Amiens coach Alain Pochat had opted for a more match-like approach than in previous friendlies, maintaining a consistent core — first in a three-man defence before switching to a back four, according to Courrier Picard.
The deadlock was broken three minutes after the restart. Sohan Paillard found the net for Boulogne in the 48th minute, punishing Amiens for a lapse in concentration early in the second half.
Amiens made three changes — Enzo Couto and Nohan Herisse entered at half-time for Thomas Cordier and M. Camara, with O. Aissat replacing I. Imedjdoubene in the 72nd minute — but could not find an equaliser. Boulogne made no substitutions.
The turning point
Paillard's goal just after the interval shifted the dynamic. Amiens had held firm in the first half, but the early second-half strike forced Pochat's side to chase the game, and they struggled to create clear-cut chances against a well-organised Boulogne defence.
Key performers
Sohan Paillard (Boulogne) — The match-winner with a composed finish in the 48th minute, his first goal of pre-season.
Enzo Somon (Amiens) — The midfielder was described by Amiens SC's official website as having delivered a "complete match" against Boulogne, highlighting his growing understanding with new teammates.
Enzo Couto (Amiens) — The 22-year-old defender, signed from Bourges (N2) this summer, made his first start for the club after missing the first four friendlies. Coach Alain Pochat noted he "held his own" (Courrier Picard).
Martin Lécolier (Boulogne) — The striker was lively before being forced off with an injury that cast a shadow over the visitors' win (La Voix du Nord).
By the numbers — interpreted
The 365Scores platform recorded Boulogne with 44% possession against Amiens' 56%, suggesting Boulogne were efficient rather than dominant. The single goal from 0.45 xG (per SofaScore data) reflects a tight contest where chances were at a premium — typical of a pre-season friendly where both sides rotated and prioritised fitness over fluency.
What it means
This was Amiens' fifth pre-season outing of summer 2026, their second defeat after two wins and one draw. The club is preparing for life in the newly formed Ligue 3, having been restructured in the French football pyramid. Next up for Pochat's side: a trip to Belgian side Courtrai.
For Boulogne, this was a second pre-season victory as they gear up for the Ligue 2 season, which kicks off on 8 August 2026 against Nancy. The injury to Lécolier, however, will be a concern for the coaching staff with just two weeks until competitive action resumes.
Boulogne won both league meetings between the sides last season in Ligue 2 and have now lost only once in the last seven encounters across all competitions.
Verdict
A typically tight pre-season affair between two regional rivals, settled by a single moment of quality from Paillard. Amiens showed defensive organisation but lacked cutting edge in the final third, while Boulogne will take the win but worry about Lécolier's fitness ahead of the Ligue 2 opener.
Match Events
Amiens and Boulogne have met 15 times — Amiens won 3, Boulogne won 6, with 6 draws. Their rivalry dates back to 2011. Boulogne leads the head-to-head with 6 victories from 15 meetings. A combined 35 goals have been scored across these fixtures, averaging 2.33 per match (13 for the home side, 22 for the visitors). Both teams scored in 7 matches (47%). Over 2.5 goals landed in 6 games (40%), making it a fixture that tends to produce goals. Boulogne are currently unbeaten in the last 6 meetings. The highest-scoring encounter finished 4–2 in 2026.
Statistics are for informational purposes only. Past performance does not guarantee future results.
API data: 26 Jul 2026