A big win and a spot in the playoffs

Context

Matchday 34, the final matchday of the regular season. Les Verts (3rd) trail Le Mans (2nd, 59 points) by two points. They need a two-goal victory over Amiens, combined with a draw or a loss by Le Mans in Bastia, to reclaim second place and secure direct promotion to Ligue 1. Otherwise, Les Verts will have to go through the playoffs.

Starting XI

Philippe Montanier can count on the return of Julien Le Cardinal to the defense. Les Verts’ coach is fielding a 4-4-2 formation in which Maxime Bernauer plays in the center and Dennis Appiah on the right flank in front of Brice Maubleu, with Gautier Larsonneur sidelined due to injury. In midfield, Luan Gadegbeku slots in between Alpha Kanté and Augustine Boakye. Up front, Joshua Duffus and Lucas Stassin team up in an attacking trio rounded out by Irvin Cardona.

Game scenario

After a rousing tribute to the legendary team that cemented AS Saint-Étienne’s place in the hearts of all French people, the match kicked off amid a phenomenal atmosphere. Le Chaudron lives up to its reputation and is packed to the brim: 39,772 fans are cheering loudly to spur on Philippe Montanier’s men—and it’s working! Following a run down the wing by Irvin Cardona, Joshua Duffus opens the scoring for the Forez side (1-0, 7th minute). Augustine Boakye (13th) and Joshua Duffus (14th) tried to double the lead, but Sauvage was up to the task. The intensity on the field dropped a notch, and in Corsica, Le Mans took the lead (16th), complicating matters. Never mind! Lucas Stassin unleashed a shot in search of that crucial second goal for ASSE, but his attempt was deflected for a corner (23rd), as was his shot off the ensuing corner kick (24th). The Loire side must remain cautious against a Le Mans team that continues to pose a threat. They found their rhythm in the final quarter-hour and put together a superb team play that saw Lucas Stassin backheel the ball to set up Joshua Duffus’s second goal (2-0, 39th). The Saint-Étienne players did their job, but unfortunately, Le Mans still held the lead at halftime on the Isle of Beauty.

The second half began with the Greens maintaining the same momentum, coming close to scoring a third goal twice through Irvin Cardona (47th, 54th). Amiens stayed in the game and tried to cut the deficit through Kandil (67th), but it was the Greens who sealed the deal with a goal by Zuriko Davitashvili (3-0, 69th), set up by a second assist from Lucas Stassin. The pace slowed down on the field in the Loire region, and Amiens had more possession but didn’t pose much of a threat to Brice Maubleu—except for that shot by Mubundu (81st)—but the goalkeeper held firm. Brice Maubleu cleared the ball, and the play culminated in a goal by Lucas Stassin (4-0, 82nd), who was all over the action tonight with that goal and two assists. The match even ended with a fifth goal by Aîmen Moueffek (5-0, 89th).

Coming next

After a convincing win over Amiens, the Greens dominated their match, but in Corsica, Le Mans came away with the victory and remained firmly in second place. The Greens, currently third in Ligue 2, will have to fight for promotion in the playoffs next Friday (8:30 p.m.) against the winner of the Red Star (4th) vs. Rodez (5th) match.