With solidarity and courage, the Greens win in Marseille!

Context

First Arkema Première Ligue match in 2026 for Les Vertes! To kick off the second half of the season, which will see them battle for the precious points needed to stay up, Sébastien Joseph's charges travel to Martigues and the Stade Francis-Turcan this Wednesday.

Starting XI

Coach Vert has opted for a 3-5-2 formation tonight. In front of Alice Pinguet, Aleksandra Gajic and Déborah Bien-Aimé form the backbone of the defense alongside newcomer Moira Kelley, supported by wingbacks Kedie Johnson on the left and Morgane Belkhiter on the right. Faustine Bataillard, Sarah Cambot, and Laura Hermann lead the midfield. Up front, Alexandria Lamontagne and Sofie Hornemann are tasked with finishing off the attacks. 

Game scenario

Les Vertes got off to a good start, outperforming the home side. In the opening minutes, they won most of the challenges and pressed Les Bleues et Blanches in their own half. Les Vertes quickly created danger, with Sofie Hornemann having the first chance on goal, but her shot went wide (13'). Meanwhile, Alice Pinguet caught (10th) and then deflected (14th) two dangerous crosses, and did not have to stretch to save Bourdieu's shot, which went well over the goal (25th).  Leger, meanwhile, forced the Saint-Étienne goalkeeper into action, symbolizing a strong spell for Marseille (28'). The last quarter of an hour offered a few chances for Les Vertes. Sofie Hornemann (photo) forced Shore to stretch to her full length with a fine strike (35'). The Marseille goalkeeper was called into action to deal with a dangerous cross from Kedie Johnson in the final meters (37th minute), but she did well to save a shot from Faustine Bataillard that was off target (44th minute) and then a dangerous corner that her defense struggled to clear (45th+1 minute).

Back from the locker room, Les Vertes applied the same formula, and it paid off! After Faustine Bataillard, who was invaluable tonight, recovered the ball 20 meters from the opponent's goal, the midfielder passed to Sofie Hornemann, who sent a slightly deflected left-footed shot past Shore to open the scoring (0-1, 49'). Although Marseille tried to respond, it was Saint-Étienne who created the clearest chances.

But the frame gave way to Alexandria Lamontagne's strike (56th) and then to the Danish striker Verte's double chance, which crossed too far (57th) and then not far enough (59th). At the other end of the pitch, Alice Pinguet and the Verte defense were imperious. The goalkeeper made a superb save at Brown's feet (72nd minute). After former Saint-Étienne player Ninon Blanchard was stretchered off—we wish her a speedy recovery—Shore denied Marion Romanelli (90+3), and Marseille lacked realism in the dying moments.

The final whistle confirms Saint-Étienne's three points, sounding like a relief but also, and above all, like motivation to tackle the second half of the championship and the mission to stay up.

Coming next

After this major success in Marseille, Les Vertes will have no time to savor their victory. This Saturday, FC Nantes, the surprise package of the championship, will face them at 3 p.m. at the Salif-Keita stadium. All Geoffroy-Guichard stadium season ticket holders can collect an invitation from the online ticket office.

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Une publication partagée par AS Saint-Étienne féminines (@asse_feminines)