Cruel scenario

The home side kicked off and immediately set the pace. The first chances came from Dijon, but Les Vertes held firm. The St Etienne defence, orchestrated by Maryne Gignoux, proved unstoppable: a foot, a header, a tackle, nothing got through. Not a single ball reached the keeper's gloves. The first half was a barren affair, with no real chances as the two teams fought over the ball without any real danger.

The second half got off to a flying start, with the first real chance. Cindy Caputo picked up the ball after the opposition defence had failed to control it, and sent Adèle Connesson through alone at the back. Facing the keeper, the Forézienne striker tried to cross her shot, but the keeper's foot deflected the attempt wide. Les Vertes did not lose heart and continued to push forward. Maryne Gignoux, ever vigilant, kept Les Vertes in the game by saving all their attempts. In the 70th minute, Cindy Caputo took advantage of a through ball and raced towards goal. After beating one of her team's defenders, she tried her luck with the right, but the goalkeeper deflected her effort into the corner. Les Vertes almost took the lead. Unfortunately, in the dying moments, the Dijonnaises, motivated by their quest for the Play-Offs, did not let up. Les Vertes were finally forced to concede, with a header from a cross sealing the fate of the match two minutes from time (Dijon 1 - 0 AS Saint-Etienne, 90th+5).

It was a bitter end for Les Vertes, who were dangerous and solid throughout the match, despite repeated attacks from the home side. The quest for survival will now be played out at home against Strasbourg, who are also fighting for their place in the Arkema Première Ligue.

Match report

Dijon 1 - 0 ASSE
Matchday 20 of the Arkema Première Ligue
Saturday 12 April, 5pm, Stade Gaston Gérard
Half-time score: 0-0
Goal : Jedlinska (90'+5) for Dijon
ASSE: Gignoux, Belkhiter, Bogi, Mayi Kith, Tapia (then Taëryne Job, 90‘), Cambot, Champagnac, Stratigakis, Pierre-Louis, Caputo (then Maéva Maniouloux, 73’), Connesson. Coach: Marc-Antoine Brihat