Stade Lavallois crossed paths with Estac Troyes, the future Ligue 2 champions, in a first-leg match where the Troyens demonstrated their superiority. Mouhamed Diop and his teammates had taken the upper hand against Stade Lavallois, notably against a player like Mandouki, marking a key stage in their journey.

From the kick-off of the Ligue 2 championship on August 9, 2025, Troyes displayed championship ambitions. Under the guidance of Stéphane Dumont, the team quickly found its rhythm, laying the groundwork for an exceptional season.

It was during this confrontation that Stade Lavallois was able to gauge the striking power of the Troyes team. Although the score details for this first leg are not specified, it is clear that Troyes managed to impose their game, a precursor to their future dominance in the league.

After facing Laval, Troyes continued their momentum. By beating Annecy (3-1) at home on September 26 during the 8th matchday, Stéphane Dumont's players took control of the standings, a position they would not relinquish until the end of the season.

This constant progression culminated on Saturday, April 25, 2026. The Troyens validated their promotion to Ligue 1 with flair, winning (0-3) at Geoffroy-Guichard against Saint-Étienne, thus confirming their status as undisputed Ligue 2 champions.

Stade Lavallois, by challenging this Troyes team early in the season, thus witnessed the emergence of a future champion. This encounter, although difficult for the Lavallois, is part of the narrative of a season where Troyes dominated Ligue 2 from start to finish.