At the end of the 1984 season, with only two matches remaining, ASSE went to Nantes, where it absolutely had to bring back the two points from victory, to keep a chance of saving its place in the first division.
The recent slush fund affair continues its ravages. Roger Rocher and Robert Herbin were thanked, and it is Robert Philippe who came to the rescue on the bench, after the dismissal of the coach Jean Djorkaeffa month ago. President Laurent had not digested the football lesson inflicted in Gironde by Aimé Jacquet’s men (0-7) with five goals conceded before the break.
No one imagines for a single moment that the Nantes, reigning champions, and who still have a small hope of reaching a European place, will take this meeting in stride. The twenty-year-old rivalry between the two clubs has now become historic. Bordeaux for the Atlantic derby and Saint-Étienne are the two enemies of the capital of lily of the valley.
In addition, another major event marks the end of an entire era on that day. The Canaries will play for the last time in the old Marcel Saupin stadium, which will be abandoned after more than forty years of good and loyal service. It is replaced by that of La Beaujoire, brand new, built for Euro 84, which will begin in a few weeks.
There will be no miracle for Castaneda and its partners. A single goal, scored by Halilhodzic in the second half, will be enough to condemn AS Saint-Étienne to the play-offs. The victory that will follow, against Laval, to close the season, will not allow Brestois to leave eighteenth place, who have one more point.
In a packed Cauldron, the Racing Club de Paris will finish the job by winning the decisive play-off match. Football France is amazed and dismayed. It is the end of the great Saint-Etienne era, to the great satisfaction of the people of Nantes, proud to have contributed to it.
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