One point, that's all

The context

Les Verts kick off a series of back-to-back vital away games on Sunday. Eirik Horneland and his men travel to Le Havre, the home of the club's oldest member, to play HAC, who are a point ahead of them before the game.

The line-up

Pierre Ekwah, who missed last weekend's game, is back at the heart of the Saint-Etienne line-up this Sunday. Maxime Bernauer gets his first start, taking advantage of Dylan Batubinsika's suspension. He will play alongside Mickaël Nadé in central defence and Léo Pétrot and Yvann Maçon on the flanks. Up front, Lucas Stassin will be supported by Zuriko Davitashvili and Irvin Cardona.

👤 Le XI stéphanois pour débuter cet #HACASSE !

Coup d'envoi de la rencontre dans une heure, tout pile ! 👊💚 pic.twitter.com/wk7DBy6vhH

— AS Saint-Étienne (@ASSEofficiel) March 9, 2025

The game

Pierre Ekwah's brilliant pass to Irvin Cardona in Le Havre's final third failed to give the striker ideal control of the ball and he was caught out at the last second (5'). Five minutes later, Aïmen Moueffek was sent up the right and on the edge of the area, his back-pass found Irvin Cardona. The striker's shot was met by Lucas Stassin for the opening goal (Le Havre 0-1 ASSE, 10th). In response, Touré took his chance from twenty yards and saw his shot go wide of Gautier Larsonneur's goal. Within seconds, Irvin Cardona also thought he had found the net, but his goal was disallowed for an offside position of just a few millimetres... (12th). Benjamin Bouchouari took his chance from distance (26th), but Les Havrais then regained control of the ball. Hassan inherited the ball in the box and fired a powerful shot onto ‘Larso’ (28'). The same Hassan then hit the post from a corner at the far post (32nd). The home side's rebellion was rewarded with yet another penalty against Les Verts. From a cross, Benjamin Bouchouari shielded his face and touched the ball with his hands. Touré then put the scores level (Le Havre 1-1 ASSE, 45').

On the stroke of half-time, Lucas Stassin's first-time shot from a tight angle found Gorgelin (55th). On the counter-attack, Les Havrais gave Les Verts some trouble, but Maxime Bernauer's last-ditch double save, countering the pass and then the shot, ensured that the attack was brought to an end (65th). A succession of corners and crosses from Saint-Etienne threatened the home side's goal but failed to produce any shots, apart from those from Yvann Maçon, who was blocked (60th) and then off target (66th). After several changes and a final scramble in the opposition box that none of the Les Vertes converted, the final whistle sounded.

Les Verts' meagre gain from the draw means they are now two points behind Reims and five clear of Montpellier.

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Next

McDonald's Ligue 1 awaits Les Verts in the Hérault for the next round of fixtures. Next Sunday, this new trip will once again have the air of a vital match.