Facing Le Havre, Les Vertes played well, but it wasn't enough to secure victory on Saturday (1-1).
Context
After a week without a match, in a game relocated to the Aimé-Jacquet stadium, Les Vertes face a direct rival in the battle to avoid relegation, Le Havre, who are in 8th place, just four points behind AS Saint-Étienne.
Starting XI
Sébastien Joseph once again fields a five-man defense, with Chloé Tapia on the left flank and Héloïse Mansuy on the right. Alexandria Lamontagne and Sofie Hornemann start up front and will have the tough task of finding the back of the net.
Game scenario
The start of the match was very calm, with both teams sizing each other up. Alice Pinguet still had to work hard on Rossi's first attempt, but the Vertes goalkeeper kept the score level. The match remained very tight throughout the first half, with balanced possession and very few opportunities for either side. Rare, but not non-existent, as illustrated by Laura Hermann's shot from 16 meters in the 35th minute. The numerous sky blue and navy blue legs deflected the Danish player's attempt into a corner kick.
After the break, the status quo remained unchanged: Saint-Étienne and Le Havre continued to battle it out in midfield, with more and more duels. A defensive lapse led to a corner for Les Vertes. The corner kick was taken into the right area and resulted in a pinball-like sequence that ended up in the unfortunate Les Vertes' goal (0-1, 63'). Hurt but not defeated, Les Vertes redoubled their efforts to get back into the game. Thanks to an individual effort and a magnificent strike from Nadjma Ali Nadjim, who had just come on, AS Saint-Étienne equalized (1-1, 79') and pushed to steal the victory from Le Havre. Numerous missed opportunities at the end of the game ultimately left a feeling of unfinished business in this crucial match against a direct opponent.
Coming next
It will be played at Groupama Stadium against Lyon on Sunday, February 8, in a match against the undisputed leaders of the league.
