Le Mans surprises Les Verts

Context

Winners in Montpellier (2-0) before the international break, Les Verts bounced back after their first defeat of the season against Guingamp. Tonight, they return to their favorite home ground eager to get back to winning ways, despite missing one of their key defenders, Chico Lamba, and facing an ambitious promoted side. 

Le XI

Without Maxime Bernauer and Chico Lamba, Eirik Horneland positioned Joao Ferreira in the center and Yvann Maçon on the right side of his defense. In midfield and attack, the coach renewed his confidence in the starting lineup that won in Hérault.

👥 Le XI stéphanois pour #ASSELMFC !

Coup d’envoi à 20h dans le Chaudron ! 👊 pic.twitter.com/8RJRTufD6F

— AS Saint-Étienne (@ASSEofficiel) October 18, 2025

Game scenario

The whistle had barely blown to start the game when Les Verts threatened through Zuriko Davitshvili! In a quick attack, the striker beat the Le Mans goalkeeper with a subtle move from the penalty spot, but Kocik was saved at the last minute by a goal-line clearance (1st minute). A few minutes later, Rabillard responds for Le Mans with a low shot that doesn't trouble Gautier Larsonneur (4'). The tone is set, with both teams trading blows! Zuriko Davitashvili (14th) tried to find the top left corner of Kocik's goal but was unsuccessful, while Calodat, who trained in Forez, forced Gautier Larsonneur into a save (19th). Despite the Greens' slight dominance, it was Le Mans who opened the scoring with a header from Rabillard (0-1, 21st). Lucas Stassin also aimed for the top corner (24th), but it was Florian Tardieu who equalized with a masterful free kick (1-1, 28th). Le Mans didn't let up, and Rabillard tried again, but his shot went over the bar (31st). Shortly before the break, Les Verts had a double chance thanks to some great work by Mickaël Nadé, but Lucas Stassin was blocked, followed by Augustine Boakye (41'). The two teams returned to the locker room with the score tied.

The second half started as strongly as the first for both teams! Igor Miladinovic left his defender dizzy before shooting, but he only hit the outside of the post (48th minute), while at the other end of the pitch, Le Mans was awarded a penalty that VAR would certainly have overturned. Gueye converted it (1-2, 55th minute). It was unfair, but Les Verts were behind. After an hour of play, Le Mans had two huge chances to pull away, but Gautier Larsonneur saved the first and the second went wide (63'). A few minutes later, the third left the Verts' goalkeeper with no chance, as he had to retrieve Harhouz's shot from the back of the net (1-3, 68th). The Verts went through a rough patch, with Gautier Larsonneur having to work hard again to deflect a shot from Calodat (74th). This save inspired his teammates and led to Lucas Stassin winning a penalty, which was converted by Florian Tardieu (2-3, 80th). Despite several interruptions to play, the referees only added four minutes of stoppage time, which was not enough for Les Verts to get back into the game. 

Coming next

After this bitter setback, Les Verts must now turn their attention to their next match to bounce back. In Annecy next Saturday (8 p.m.), a green tide will push them to bring home three points from the Parc des Sports.