Les Verts break Boulogne deadlock

Context

After recording a resounding victory over Rodez last Saturday at the Chaudron (4-0), Les Verts travel to Boulogne-sur-Mer, the valiant newcomers. Leading the table going into this third matchday, Eirik Horneland's men have been overtaken by Nancy, who won at Dunkerque, and Troyes, who beat Montpellier on Saturday. A win in Pas-de-Calais would allow Les Verts to get back to the top spot.

Starting XI

We take (almost) the same players and do it all over again! The only difference from the previous starting eleven is the presence of Lucas Stassin, replacing Joshua Duffus.

👥 Le XI des Verts pour cet #USBCOASSE ! 👊

Un changement dans le onze avec la première titularisation de Lucas Stassin cette saison ! 💚 pic.twitter.com/Isd6vd1Xlw

— AS Saint-Étienne (@ASSEofficiel) August 23, 2025

Game

In a packed Stade de la Libération, Les Verts got off to a better start. Aïmen Moueffek was the first to take responsibility, but his shot was off target (3'). On the lookout for a mistake by the home goalkeeper, Koné, Augustine Boakye came close to recovering the ball on the line (6th). Zuriko Davitashvili, active, brought trouble in the Boulogne defense several times without finding the back of the net (11th, 19th, 27th). In the last five minutes of the first half, Augustine Boakye stood out. But his shots were blocked (40th) and went wide (42nd). After 45 minutes of tight play against a solid, low block, Les Verts returned to the locker room frustrated.

After the break, Saint-Étienne came out stronger. But Boulogne's defense held tight. The visitors' attempts were either blocked (Zuriko Davitashvili, 52'), deflected (Augustine Boakye, 56'), or thwarted (Aïmen Moueffek's rush, 58'). After sixty minutes, the Saint-Étienne coach made his first substitutions. From a free kick and on his first touch of the ball, Irvin Cardona headed Koné's right post (63'). Koné then made a perfect save on the feet of Joshua Duffus, who had been sent deep (65'). But a few minutes later, he was helpless to stop Zuriko Davitashvili's run into the box and cross. The Georgian international struck the ball hard and found the back of the net to open the scoring (Boulogne 0-1 ASSE, 74'). In the last quarter of an hour, the home side pushed hard for an equalizer, but Saint-Étienne's defense remained unbeated to secure the three points and return Les Verts to the top of the table!

90e+5 : Peut-être pas très beau, mais ô combien précieux ✌️ ! Les Verts s’imposent à Boulogne !

Rendez-vous samedi prochain, face à Grenoble, dans un GG peut-être plein 😏 !

🔴 0-1 💚 #USBCOASSE pic.twitter.com/rB6JjKSeXg

— AS Saint-Étienne (@ASSEofficiel) August 23, 2025

What's next

To conclude the month of August, Les Verts will host Grenoble next Saturday (8 p.m.) at Geoffroy-Guichard Stadium, which is already shaping up to be a sellout! Get your tickets now to be part of the action!

Joueur associé

22

Zuriko
Davitashvili

Géorgie