Les Verts head to the Playoffs to return to Ligue 1

Context

Finishing third in Ligue 2 BKT, Les Verts watched together as Rodez won Playoff 1 against Red Star on Tuesday (2-3). They will now host a familiar opponent at Geoffroy-Guichard with a single goal in mind: qualifying for the McDonald's Ligue 1 playoffs. 

Starting XI

Fully fit and ready to go, Gautier Larsonneur, Kevin Pedro, and Zuriko Davitashvili return to Philippe Montanier’s starting lineup. The Verts’ coach opts for a 4-2-3-1 formation instead of the 5-3-2 he used in the away game against RAF two weeks ago.

Le match

This playoff match to qualify for the Ligue 2/Ligue 1 promotion playoffs kicked off in a Chaudron packed to the brim for a big night! Despite a well-represented Rodez fan section, the “Peuple Vert” completely dominated the atmosphere, and Philippe Montanier’s players took advantage to control possession for the first ten minutes. With no clear scoring chances on either side, the game evened out, and the RAF was even the first to pose a threat when Younoussa hit the post (21st), but Julien Le Cardinal responded with an impressive strike from over 35 meters. Braat fumbled the save but managed to make the stop (24th). While Rodez took their chances, it was Les Verts who looked the most threatening with a counterattack led by Irvin Cardona and Zuriko Davitashvili (29th). The first half ended with the Loire side holding a slight advantage, though they had to remain very vigilant against the visitors’ dangerous transitions.

The match resumed with Les Verts still in control of the ball, highlighted by a header from Julien Le Cardinal off a corner kick (52'). Energized by Aïmen Moueffek’s play after the hour mark, Saint-Étienne began to play more aggressively.  In fact, it was Aïmen Moueffek who found himself in a shooting position but was unable to get a clean shot off (69'). Once again, the ASSE-trained midfielder appeared to be fouled inside the penalty area, but Referee Bollengier did not blow his whistle (75th). Benchamma had a chance to open the scoring but completely missed the target (81st). Phew! Maxime Bernauer, who had a strong game, also tried his luck off a corner kick, but his shot missed the target (84'). In stoppage time, both teams had a chance to win the match. But Aïmen Moueffek was denied by Braat at point-blank range (90' + 1), then the Rodez counterattack was saved at the last second by Ben Old (90' + 3). The outcome of the match was therefore decided by a penalty shootout. And at the end of a completely wild penalty shootout (10 penalties each), Brice Maubleu, who had come on just before the end of regulation time, stood out by stopping the first two and then the last two shots. 

> Penalty shootout

Coming next 

After advancing through the playoffs, Saint-Étienne has qualified for the promotion playoffs to Ligue 1. They will have to wait until Sunday evening, when the 34th and final matchday concludes, to find out who they will face in a two-leg series.