Les Verts bounce back with a win

Context

The only undefeated team after eight league games, Les Verts suffered their first defeat against Guingamp last Saturday at the end of a week with three matches. Before Ligue 2 BKT takes a break for international competitions, Eirik Horneland's team travels to La Mosson today to face Montpellier, who are looking for consistency, while Saint-Étienne are keen to bounce back immediately.

Starting XI

There are two changes in Eirik Horneland's team selection. Maxime Bernauer, who is suspended, is replaced by João Ferreira, while Igor Miladinovic returns to the starting line-up.

👤 Le XI stéphanois pour ce soir de match !

Coup d’envoi de #MHSCASSE dans une heure tout pile à la Mosson ! 👊💚 pic.twitter.com/7Oigl3JejH

— AS Saint-Étienne (@ASSEofficiel) October 4, 2025

Game scenario

The match got off to a flying start. The whistle had barely blown when Pays hit Gautier Larsonneur's left post (2'), but Les Verts responded immediately with a quick attack! Lucas Stassin passed to Zuriko Davitashvili, who entered the box and beat the Paillade goalkeeper (0-1, 2'). The Forez players took control of this hard-fought and physically demanding match. In the box, Lucas Stassin saw his shot blocked (13'), while Gautier Larsonneur had to defend a free kick from Savanier (17'). Saint-Étienne then doubled their lead thanks to Zuriko Davtiashvili (0-2, 22'), who left no chance to the goalkeeper  after his save from Ebenezer Annan's deflected cross. MHSC did not give up, however, and after a shot from Pays was saved by Gautier Larsonneur (27'), Mendy hit the bar (29') and Savanier came close to scoring from a free kick (35'). Apart from a few cards, including one given to Eirik Horneland, the last ten minutes offered little to report. Saint-Étienne went into the break with a two-goal lead, but they were not out of the woods yet. 

After the break, the battle between the two teams continued, and it took ten minutes to see a quick attack led by Irvin Cardona, who set up a shot for Lucas Stassin, which unfortunately went wide (55'). Irvin Cardona made another attempt with a shot blocked by the defense (66'), while Florian Tardieu's beautiful volley narrowly missed the goal (67'). But the real thrill came from Mendy, who went one-on-one with Gautier Larsonneur. La Mosson believed they would reduce the deficit, but the Saint-Étienne goalkeeper won the duel hands down (69'). Shortly after, Mbuku threw himself forward to meet a cross, but he was too short and the ball flew the other way (74'). There was little to report in the last 15 minutes, except for the distribution of new yellow cards. Les Verts managed to secure a clean sheet and an important victory that puts them back on equal footing with Troyes at the top of Ligue 2. 

Coming next

Now it's time for the international break for Les Verts. While several players will join their respective national teams, Eirik Horneland will continue working with the players available at the Robert-Herbin Sports Center. October will continue with a home game against Le Mans at Geoffroy-Guichard. 

Joueur associé

22

Zuriko
Davitashvili

Géorgie