A victory to believe!

The context

After losing against Monaco and, more particularly, Le Havre's win at Auxerre, Les Verts were condemned to achieve something special by winning their last two games, while counting on Le Havre or Nantes to slip up. First up, then, this Saturday evening at the Stade Auguste-Delaune in Reims.

The XI

With Lucas Stassin still on the sidelines, Eirik Horneland choosed Ibrahima Wadji to play up front, along with Zuriko Davitashvili and Irvin Cardona. Although Benjamin Bouchouari returns, the midfield remains the same as in previous outings: Florian Tardieu joins Pierre Ekwah and Aïmen Mouffek.

👥 Le XI stéphanois pour #SDRASSE ! 🆚 pic.twitter.com/Ve37GHW3kL

— AS Saint-Étienne (@ASSEofficiel) May 10, 2025

The match

Les Verts got off to a strong start at a largely filled Delaune. From a deep ball in the penalty area, the Stéphanois took advantage of the hesitation of the local defence and Irvin Cardona slipped the ball back. Florian Tardieu made no mistake with a missile into the far corner (Reims 0-1 ASSE, 3rd). Antagana tried to lob Larsonneur from the edge of the box, but his effort flew over (9th). Ibrahima Wadji thought he was going to double the lead when he was played through on goal, but his effort was rightly disallowed. In his run, he had tripped the last Rémois defender (20th). Gautier Larsonneur then made an outstanding save off the line from Dia's close-range volley (27th)! The same Dia missed the target from a strong cross in front of goal. Phew (35th)! After an exceptional rush from his own half, Aïmen Moueffek slipped the ball to Zuriko Davitashvili in the penalty area, but the Reims defence came back well (38'). At a time when Stéphanois were in the ascendancy, Ibrahim Wadji took advantage of a magnificent pass between the defenders to take his chance after a Léo Pétrot effort had been saved off the line. Diouf pushed it away, but Irvin Cardona made it 2-0 to ASSE in the 42nd minute!

Samba Diawara's team had two huge chances in the first minute of the second half, a sign of their lack of realism. A reflex from ‘Larso’ and a return pass from Léo Pétrot allowed Les Verts to maintain their two-goal lead (46th). Dia, who had been unlucky in the first half, missed again in an ideal situation (50th). For the next half-hour, the players went at each other blow for blow, but mainly in the heart of the game. Ibrahima Wadji was on the move again, and after a good exchange between Stéphanois, the centre-forward took his chance, only to see the ball hit the side-netting (80'). Les Verts held firm to take the three points they needed to keep their hopes alive, with Mickaël Nadé a rock and Louis Mouton coming on strongly.

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Next

As we await the final result against Le Havre, Les Verts look forward to seeing you on Saturday for the final matchday of the season. If they beat Toulouse in the Chaudron, and if Le Havre pick up no more than a point against Strasbourg, Les Verts will go through to the play-offs! GO!