AS Saint-Étienne (ASSE) tackles its last match of 2024 in a worrying situation. The Greens, stuck in the second part of the Ligue 1 ranking, will go to Toulouse for a fear duel which could prove to be decisive in the maintenance race. Unfortunately, the team of Olivier Dall'oglio will be seriously decreased By injuries and suspensions, as evidenced by the coach's worried words after the defeat against Marseille: “Tonight, we missed the possibility of blowing some boys. And for the Friday match, I am not sure I can recover a lot of people. It will be a challenge to take up.”
© ASSE Official website
A workforce decimated by absences
The Greens, already in great difficulty this season, must deal with An absence cascade which considerably weakens their team. Dall'oglio has confirmed that few injured players will be operational for the trip to Toulouse. Mickaël Nadedefensive pillar, remains unavailable, and although it can hope for a return for the Coupe de France, the club could choose prudence to avoid a relapse. The defensive line is also amputated from Yvann Masonabsent until the end of January after surgery. In attack, prolonged absences of Boooky and Senegalese Basishero of the climb, weigh heavily. Oldas for him, is outside the land until March 2025 minimum, an absence of long duration which handicaps the balance of the team.
Limited and uncertain feedback
The only reason for satisfaction for Dall'oglio could be the potential return of Aïl Moueweekinjured in Rennes, but whose state of form remains to be evaluated. Anthony Briançon et Thomas Monconduittwo experienced players, continue their rethletics and have started to reintegrate collective training. If their return to the bench is not impossible, it is unlikely that they will be established, being still in the recovery phase. Finally, Mathieu Cafarosuspended for two games after his red card against Rennes, purges his last suspension match and will be back for the 32nd finals of the Coupe de France.
Major tactical challenges
With such absent listSaint-Etienne presents himself in Toulouse in an extremely vulnerable position. This fragility poses major tactical challenges to Olivier Dall'oglio, who will have to tinker to align an eleven competitive eleven. In particular, the coach will have to find solutions in a decimated defensive sector and a midfielder where the lack of power continues to be felt. In attack, the lack of depth may weigh heavily against a team from Toulouse who will want to take advantage of the advantage of playing at home.
The urgency of maintenance
This trip to Toulouse represents much more than a simple match: it could be determining in the fight for maintenance. Currently, ASSE points dangerously in the red zone, and a new defeat would further complicate the survival mission in League 1. For the Greens, this match will also be a mental testwhere it will be necessary to overcome absences and doubts to hope to win a result. Faced with a Toulouse team also in search of points, Saint-Etienne will have to be Solidarity and pragmatism. The winter break that will follow this match could be saving for the Greens, but before that, it will be necessary to give everything to finish the year on a positive note.
