Les Verts trapped in Dunkirk harbor

Context

Les Verts are back in the championship! After qualifying for the round of 32 last Saturday at the expense of Ecotay (11-1), Saint-Étienne returns to Ligue 2 BKT with a stop at Marcel-Tribut to face Dunkerque. Les Maritimes (9th) play an attractive game that has allowed them to beat teams in the top 4.

Starting XI

With Joao Ferreira and Augustine Boakye out at the last minute, Eirik Horneland has to find solutions. He positions Dennis Appiah on the right wing and Nadir El Jamali at number 9, between Zuriko Davitashvili and Irvin Cardona. In midfield, Igor Miladinovic starts alongside Mahmoud Jaber and Florian Tardieu.

Game scenario

The game kicked off with a bang! Before the first minute was even over, Irvin Cardona fired a shot that went wide to the left (1st), while Zossou missed his cross moments later. The pace then slows down between the two tactically well-organized teams. Igor Miladinovic takes advantage of some space to shoot from more than 20 meters out, but the ball goes over the bar (13'). His attempt unsettles USLD, who is unable to contain Zuriko Davitashivi. The striker slips the ball to Irvin Cardona, whose shot fails to find the top corner (13th). Dennis Appiah then makes his mark with a shot (20th) and a good cross to Irvin Cardona, who misses his shot (24th). Zossou responds with a nice move and a cross that Gautier Larsonneur dives to save (29'). Ebenezer Annan had to leave the field with an injury to his right ankle (35'). He was replaced by Ben Old, who took his place at left back. Just before the break, Zuriko Davitashvili tested Niflore, who managed to keep his goal intact. The two teams went into the locker room with the score tied at zero.

The second half started as strongly as the first, with Diong missing a big chance for Dunkerque (46'), Zuriko Davitashvili hitting the crossbar (47'), and a corner played by two players giving Ben Old a shot, which was ultimately blocked by the defense (53'). The New Zealander tried again (54'), followed by Zuriko Davitashvili (55'). Les Verts became more pressing and more accurate, getting their first shots of the second half on target. On the hour mark, Saint-Étienne found itself in the box but was unable to get a shot away (60'). Dunkerque had two corners in quick succession, but Sekongo's header (68') fell just short of the Loire goalkeeper's bar. Les Verts had a scare in defense and Maxime Bernauer had to clear the ball with force (69'). At the start of the last quarter of an hour, Bardeli gave Dunkerque the lead (1-0, 74') in front of Les Verts, who were present but too passive. From a corner, Florian Tardieu found Irvin Cardona, whose header was caught by Niflore (80'). After a final save by Gautier Larsonneur in a one-on-one situation (88th), Igor Miladinovic saw his volley denied by Niflore (88th), then Joshua Duffus saw his shot from close range stopped by a miraculous defensive save from Sasso (90th). The home side won and Les Verts returned from the north empty-handed.

La suite

Defeated on Saturday evening, Les Verts saw their winning streak come to an end. Still in second place despite this setback, Les Verts will return to Geoffroy-Guichard next Saturday (8 p.m.) to face SC Bastia in their last home game of the year, hoping to end 2025 on a high note.

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