Bitter setback in Champagne

Context

After beating Clermont 1-0 last Saturday, Saint-Étienne are now on a three-game unbeaten streak and have kept two clean sheets. Following Troyes' 1-0 defeat at Guingamp and Red Star's 2-2 draw at home to Boulogne on Saturday, the race for the top spot in the league could get tighter.

Starting XI

The players who lined up against Clermont impressed Eirik Horneland. The ASSE coach has kept the same starting 11, with Kevin Pedro and Ben Old on the wings, Chico Lamba in the center, and Lucas Stassin leading the attack.

Game scenario

The match got off to a thrilling start! After losing possession, which Les Verts came close to capitalizing on, Reims launched a counterattack and Gautier Larsonneur had to come out and commit a debatable foul on the edge of the box. Fortunately, Nakamura's free kick was off target (1'). Barely relieved, Saint-Étienne suffered a blow with the injury-enforced substitution of Mahmoud Jaber (7th minute), but they did not lose heart. This was evident in attempts by Augustine Boakye (11th, 14th, 17th), Nadir El Jamali (16th), and Florian Tardieu (19th), which marked a strong period for the Loire side. Les Verts took control of the game, even if chances became scarcer thereafter, with the exception of a dangerous cross from Ben Old that caused panic for Jaouen (27th minute) and a shot from the New Zealander (29th minute). After half an hour of play, the Stadistes pressed harder in the final 30 meters but could only manage corners. The first half ended with the score unchanged. 

The match resumed and Stade de Reims found themselves down to 10 men after Tia made a high tackle on Nadir El Jamali, who was defending with his head. The Reims player was sent off (55') and the New Zealander got back to his feet. This is not the case for Chico Lamba, who complains of knee pain and has to leave the field (57'). While Ibrahim forces Gautier Larsonneur into a save (61'), Les Verts pile on the pressure with Lucas Stassin (61') and Ben Old (twice, 63') coming close to opening the scoring. Despite being a man down, Reims adapted and remained dangerous with a shot from Koné (67') and a goal from Ibrahim, who took advantage of a poor clearance by the Forez defense (1-0, 70'). The tempo slowed down to the advantage of Reims, who took advantage of every opportunity to get their foot on the ball or try their luck, as with Sekine's shot (84'). The final thrills provided by the Verts' attackers did not result in goals, and the Verts had to admit defeat. 

Coming next

Beaten by Reims (1-0), Les Verts (4th) are two points behind second place and remain seven points behind leaders Troyes. They will attempt to close the gap with a series of two matches at Geoffroy-Guichard against Boulogne next Saturday (8 p.m.) and Montpellier on Saturday, February 7 (8 p.m.).