After two losses in this new LFFP Cup, les Vertes defeated Grenoble on their ground (4-1).
Context
Les Vertes travel to Grenoble (Second League) for the third and final day of the LFFP Cup. Facing Nice, Thonon, and then Grenoble in a four-team group, Saint-Étienne is already eliminated after two losses. Despite this, they are keen to build on their positive momentum, which began with a draw at Le Havre (0-0) followed by a convincing home win against Montpellier (4-2).
Starting XI
Sébastien Joseph fields an unprecedented lineup, designed to give playing time to those who have had the least and give some rest to the others. Emma Templier starts in goal. The defense consists of Morgane Belkhiter, Aleksandra Gajic, and Kedie Johnson, back from suspension. Amandine Pierre-Louis and Adèle Connesson take the flanks, while Thaïs Aznar, Faustine Bataillard, and Laura Hermann occupy the midfield. The duo of Welma Fon and Nikolina Istocki are paired up in attack.
Game scenario
Les Vertes started strongly with instant pressure that paid off. Welma Fon was very active, putting the opposing defense under pressure and recovering a poorly cleared ball. Her shot hit the post, but Nikolina Istocki was well placed to follow up and push the ball home to score her first professional goal (0–1, 5'). Saint-Étienne continued to dominate: in the 15th minute, Gajic, alone at the far post, narrowly missed the target. Their constant pressure prevented Grenoble from leaving their half for nearly 25 minutes. The reward came when Amandine Pierre-Louis' cross ended up directly in the goal (0–2, 39th minute), before Adèle Connesson added to the score with a ball released by the goalkeeper (0–3, 44th minute).
After the break, the game became more balanced, but Nikolina Istocki scored her second goal with a superb lob from 25 meters after recovering the ball from a defender (0–4, 56th). In control, Les Vertes looked set to secure Emma Templier's first clean sheet of the season, with the keeper making a remarkable reflex save in the 85th minute. Unfortunately, the resulting corner allowed Grenoble to reduce the deficit (1–4, 86').
Coming next
A busy week now awaits Les Vertes, who are regaining some confidence after a difficult start oh the season. They travel to Strasbourg on Wednesday to play the minutes remaining from the match that was interrupted by fog, before hosting Paris SG on Sunday at 3 p.m. in what is sure to be a packed Salif-Keita stadium.
