Nice too strong for Les Verts

The context

Eirik Horneland's Verts went through a rollercoaster ride last Saturday against Angers (3-3), and this weekend they return to the Chaudron to take on the current third-placed team in the league, OGC Nice. The Aiglons, who have won three in a row, are under pressure from AS Monaco, who beat Reims 3-0 yesterday. Les Verts, meanwhile, can put the pressure on the Champenois if they win today.

The XI

With Pierre Ekwah absent, the Saint-Etienne coach opted to start Aïmen Moueffek in midfield once again. Zuriko Davitashvili, scorer of two assists last week, is also back in the starting line-up. The defensive base remains unchanged.

👤 Le XI stéphanois pour #ASSEOGCN ! 💚🆚 pic.twitter.com/HQCP2yWbIP

— AS Saint-Étienne (@ASSEofficiel) March 1, 2025

The game

In front of a lively Chaudron, the visitors had the first chance from a free-kick. Gautier Larsonneur saved off the line before making a second consecutive decisive save from Larborde's close-range shot (4'). Although the Saint-Etienne captain kept his gloves warm for Clauss's heavy shot, he could do nothing about Rosario's powerful header from the rebound (ASSE 0-1 Nice, 10th). Taking advantage of a poor clearance from Bulka, Lucas Stassin worried Nice's rearguard but saw his shot deflected wide (12th). It was enough to wake up Les Verts, who went on the attack as a unit. Their attacking pressure led to Aimen Moueffek's shot, which was also blocked (14'). Although the game calmed down a little, the Chaudron soon became ablaze again when Lucas Stassin, on the initiative of a counter-attacker, successfully converted Aimen Moueffek's back-heeled cross (ASSE 1-1 Nice, 32nd). Les Verts kept possession of the ball, but the last chance of the first period fell to Nice, but the red-and-black shot flew wide.

Les Verts and Lucas Stassin were the first to threaten after the break. But the striker was too off balance and saw his low shot saved by Bulka (48'). With Nice in the ascendancy, the visitors then took the lead on the scoreboard. From a corner played in two stages, Rosario pushed Mickaël Nadé to the foul (ASSE 1-2 Nice, 52nd). In response, Aïmen Moueffek carried the ball and took his chance. Deflected by a tackle, the ball went just a little too far for Lucas Stassin (57'). Cho (58th) and Santamaria (65th) then saw their shots go just wide. The same happened to Zuriko Davitashvili, who headed Dennis Appiah's long cross into the air (68'). Guessand was more adept when, served into the penalty area, he found the side-netting of Gautier Larsonneur (ASSE 1-3 Nice, 69th). Les Verts continued to create chances, but Augustine Boakye was unable to make the final touch (81st and 86th). Les Verts therefore lost out at Geoffroy-Guichard to Marseille's best rivals for second place.

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

Next

After two home games, there are two very important away fixtures in their quest to stay up: at Le Havre and then Montpellier.