Les Verts lose to Paris FC

Context

Les Verts' preparation continues with the fourth of five preseason matches. After two wins against Carouge (3-1) and Troyes (1-0) and a disappointing defeat against Servette (2-3), Saint-Étienne will comptete against Paris FC, newly promoted to Ligue 1.

Starting XI

The squad is narrowing as the competition draws nearer. Among the 20 players selected for this penultimate preseason match, Eirik Horneland starts with a lineup almost identical to the one fielded last week against Servette. The only notable changes are Aïmen Moueffek replacing Luan Gadegbeku in midfield and Augustine Boakye Nadir El Jamali up front.

👥 Le XI stéphanois pour #ASSEPFC !

Match à suivre sur YouTube et en tweets ! 📲💚 pic.twitter.com/CAdZcmZkdp

— AS Saint-Étienne (@ASSEofficiel) July 25, 2025

Game scenario 

Les Verts were the first to threaten with a shot from Ben Old that fell just wide of the right post (4'), but Paris FC took control of the match. After Marchetti scored from a free kick (ASSE 0-1 PFC, 8th), Saint-Étienne tried to hit back with Irvin Cardona (18th), but Kebbal extended the lead with a shot into the top corner (ASSE 0-2 PFC, 25th), further cementing Paris's dominance in the match. After half an hour of play, Ben Old hit the crossbar (32') just before Irvin Cardona caused panic near the 5.50m line (32'), but it was Marchetti who scored again to give PFC a comfortable lead (ASSE 0-3 PFC, 33'). The first half ended with this score.

The second half had less structure gave and fewer chances for both teams. A counterattack by Stéphane Gili's men led to a blocked shot by Haïdara (56'), followed by a Parisian strike that went wide of Gautier Larsonneur's goal (62'). Joshua Duffus, who came on after an hour, then made his presence felt twice. First with a high recovery that gave Igor Miladinovic a chance to score, but the Serbian's shot was cleared off the line at the last moment (67'). Then with a shot blocked by the goalkeeper that ended up on the bar and was picked up by Jaber from a tight angle, without success (68'). At the start of the last quarter of an hour, Maxime Bernauer sent a low cross into the box of his former club, but the defense managed to clear the danger (77'). At the end of the match, Irvin Cardona found himself one-on-one with the goalkeeper with a great chance to reduce the deficit, but the striker was caught at the last moment before he could get his shot away (90'). The score remained unchanged in the second half.

What's next

After this defeat against Ligue 1 newcomers, Eirik Horneland's squad will return to training on Monday for a week of work that will end with their final preseason match in Sardinia against Cagliari.