Les Verts beat the leader

Context

After a resounding victory against Pau (6-0), Les Verts failed to build on their momentum at Red Star last Saturday (2-1). With tonight's clash against the leaders from Troyes, they face a third team from the top of the table with the ambition of delivering a strong performance.

Starting XI

With Maxime Bernauer and Joao Ferreira on the sidelines due to injury, Eirik Horneland is fielding an unprecedented defense tonight with the return of Dennis Appiah on the right wing and young Kevin Pedro in central defense alongside Mickaël Nadé. Up front, the Greens' coach is taking advantage of Augustine Boakye's return and starting Joshua Duffus for the third consecutive game.

👥 Le XI stéphanois pour #ESTACASSE ! 👊💚 pic.twitter.com/jpkGiYSvDC

— AS Saint-Étienne (@ASSEofficiel) November 8, 2025

Game scenario 

The match got off to a rather slow start between the two teams, and Stade de l'Aube had to wait almost ten minutes for their first chance. It was actually a double chance, as Aïmen Moueffek's shot in the box was narrowly blocked and Irvin Cardona, held back by his shirt, was unable to adjust his shot on the second ball (8'). It was frustrating, but Les Verts broke free shortly after with a splendid goal from Augustine Boakye at the end of a quick and well-played move (0-1, 11'). Les Troyens responded with shots from Adeline (14th), Ifnaoui (18th), and Detourbet (21st), all of which were on target but were saved by an impeccable Gautier Larsonneur. Around the half-hour mark, Saint-Étienne had two great opportunities to increase their lead thanks to the lively Augustine Boakye and Joshua Duffus. After a move full of attacking solidarity, Irvin Cardona placed a second ball under the crossbar (0-2, 32'). After a free kick from Florian Tardieu went over the bar (42nd), ASSE added a third goal in stoppage time. Augustine Boakye passed to Mahmoud Jaber, who set up Joshua Duffus. His low shot ended up in the back of the net (0-3, 45+2nd).

The second half began with a one-on-one between Joshua Duffus and Konaté (48'). Gautier Larsonneur also made a reflex save from Adeline's shot from close range (56'), but he could do nothing about the next duel when Diop slipped the ball into the net despite his quick exit (1-3, 62'). The Aubois had possession after the break, but chances were few and far between for the two teams at the top of the table. Les Verts sat back and struggled to keep the ball. With a clever move, Ripart reduced the deficit in the final minutes (2-3, 86'). There were a few more chances for both sides, including a powerful shot from Troyes that went over the bar (89') and a shot from Lucas Stassin that hit the crossbar after Augustine Boakye won the ball high up the pitch (90'). 

Both teams won one half each, but the match and the three points went to Les Verts, who regained third place, one point behind Red Star and two behind their opponents on the night, who remain top of the table. 

Coming next

Now it's time for the Coupe de France, which will see Les Verts travel to the Stade Gaston-Gérard in Dijon to face Quetigny, a Regional 2 club, in the seventh round. See you next Saturday at 8:30 p.m.! 

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Une publication partagée par AS Saint-Étienne (@asseofficiel)