The Greens qualify in the fog

Contexte

After a major success in Champagne last Saturday, Les Verts are now heading to Burgundy for their first match in the Coupe de France! Saint-Étienne will face AS Quetigny, a Regional 2 club, at the Gaston-Gérard stadium.

Starting XI

With international players away on duty, others injured, and key players rested, Eirik Horneland has fielded a very “Green Generation” lineup! No fewer than four current residents of the training center make up the Loire XI, with Brice Maubleu, Dennis Appah, Mickaël Nadé, and Aïmen Moueffek playing key roles.

Game scenario

Unsurprisingly, Les Verts established their dominance by putting their foot on the ball from the kickoff, with Igor Miladinovic (5th, 8th), Jules Mouton (6th), and then Maedine Makhloufi (9th) trying their luck before Paul Eymard found the back of the net. Inside the box, the ASSE midfielder struck and saw his shot deflected into Talhaoui's goal (0-1, 11th). The same Paul Eymard came close to doubling the lead with a powerful strike shortly afterwards (14th). Quetigny remained in the game despite everything and unleashed its first powerful shot when Cissé cut off a cross in the box (21st minute). ASQ didn't stop there, as it was awarded a penalty (28th minute) for a duel between Brice Maubleu and the opposing captain. Szurlej converted the penalty (1-1, 30th minute), bringing the two teams level. Quetigny continued to threaten in the box, but Brice Maubleu deflected the ball for a corner (36th minute). The first half ended with thick fog and the score tied.

Delayed by 45 minutes due to persistent thick fog, the second half finally kicked off at 10:25 p.m. And it started rather well for Les Verts! Jules Mouton sent in a cross from the left and Djyllian N'Guessan headed it home to put ASSE back in front (1-2, 48'). Ten minutes later, Augustine Boakye found himself in a good position but his shot was off target (59'). Paul Eymard's shot was on target, but Talhaoui saved it (66'). Saint-Étienne then extended their lead. Kevin Pedro followed up on a cross from Djylian N'Guessan and headed the ball into the back of the net (1-3, 67'). The fog was still very disruptive, but with ten minutes left to play, Yvann Maçon dribbled into the box and, after a one-two, Paul Eymard unleashed a fine shot that was not rewarded (81'). Yvann Maçon made his presence felt again with a shot that went close to the goal (85th) before giving a good ball to Paul Eymard, who tried again (86th). The score remained unchanged and Mr. Ustaritz blew the whistle to end this seventh round of the Coupe de France, shrouded in thick fog.

Coming next

With their ticket to the eighth round of the competition in the bag, Les Verts will return to Ligue 2 BKT and France's most beautiful stadium next Saturday (8 p.m.) when they host Nancy (15th) and the first non-relegation team at Geoffroy-Guichard.