Three in a row against Laval!

Context

Les Verts are back on track! Victorious against Montpellier (1-0) and then Guingamp (1-2), Saint-Étienne (40 points) have closed the gap on the league leaders. Facing Laval, second from bottom in Ligue 2 BKT, they are aiming for a third consecutive win to put pressure on Troyes (1st, 42 points) and Reims (2nd, 40 points).

Starting XI

You don't change a winning team! The 11 players who lined up in Guingamp last Saturday will start again tonight. Philippe Montanier has kept his midfield unchanged, with Augustine Boakye repositioned alongside Abdoulaye Kanté and Igor Miladinovic.

Game scenario

It's a strong start for Les Verts! Two minutes after kickoff, the Mayenne defense commits a handball in the box and the penalty is irrevocable when Zuriko Daviutashvili takes charge. As in Guingamp last week, the Georgian outwits Samassa and ASSE takes the lead (1-0, 3'). As the quarter-hour mark approached, Saint-Étienne created two dangerous chances in the box through Irvin Cardona (16th) and Ben Old (17th), but were unable to find a teammate to finish. Although chances were few and far between, Saint-Étienne dominated possession. Laval had to wait until the half-hour mark to make their presence felt, first with a header from Titouan (28th minute) and then with a shot from around 20 meters out (31st minute), but both attempts were off target until Camara found his range and equalized at the end of a well-worked move (1-1, 36th minute). But Laval didn't have time to savor the moment. From 25 meters out, Augustine Boakye took a chance and curled a beautiful ball into the opposite corner of the net to put Les Verts back in front (2-1, 38'). After this magnificent goal, Philippe Montanier's men pressed forward. First, Irvin Cardona's cross-shot from a difficult angle went wide (45+1), then Lucas Stassin, who was played in at the heart of the defense, managed to break through and shoot at Samassa (45+2).

The second half began with Nantes dominating possession. Zuriko Davitashvili's shot from a corner missed the target (52'), as did Igor Miladinovic's volley moments later. The minutes ticked by, with Saint-Étienne maintaining their dominance, but chances remained few and far between, with the exception of Lucas Stassin's cross for Zuriko Davitashvili (74') and Saint-Étienne remained under threat of a comeback, as with Sellouki's powerful shot that Gautier Larsonneur saved perfectly (76'). ASSE had the chance to kill off the suspense when Joshua Duffus was wonderfully set up by Lucas Stassin, but the Brit missed Samassa's goal (83'). No matter, Les Verts won and climbed to second place. 

Coming Next

Now second (43 points) ahead of Reims (41 points), Philippe Montanier's men have their sights set on leaders Troyes (45 points). Next Saturday, they travel to Pau with the aim of extending their winning streak and increasing the pressure on ESTAC.

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