24ASSE was knocked out in the 32nd finals of the Coupe de France, this Sunday, after another heavy defeat against Olympique de Marseille. In Geoffroy-Guichard, as in Ligue 1, the Greens did not exist, quickly weighed down by the not very intelligent expulsion of Ibrahim Sissoko. Here are the three lessons from the weekend.
Barely arrived, already out. For the first time in two seasons, the Greens returned to the 32nd finals of the Coupe de France. After two years in Ligue 2 where ASSE was knocked out in the 7th round by Rodez (L2) in 2022 (0-0, 3-4 tab) then in the 8th round by Nîmes (N1) in 2023 (0-1 ), the Stéphanois did not make a better impression, outclassed in all areas by an OM who were definitely too strong (0-4). Despite the obvious difference in level, some lessons still emerge from this match.
Brice Maubleu misses the mark in ASSE's goal
His first steps in the Green jersey were eagerly awaited. After a start to the season where Gautier Larsonneur, not helped by a beleaguered defense, did not reassure ASSE supporters, Brice Maubleu, arrived from Grenoble last summer as No. 2, was increasingly more popular with Saint-Etienne supporters. Unfortunately for the 34-year-old goalkeeper, we cannot say that his performance against OM, under the eyes of Eirik Horneland, the new coach, could not call into question the hierarchy of goalkeepers.
Because Brice Maubleu's first two interventions clearly did not give confidence to a defense which already lacked it. On his first two aerial outings from Marseille corners, the goalkeeper of the day had a hole, missing the ball twice (5', 13'). Although he reassured himself in his next two interventions (17', 18'), he conceded the opener with a shot from Greenwood on the closed side (21').
If it seems complicated to blame him for the other three Marseille goals, even if he could have done better on his exit against Luis Henrique (68'), the former Grenoblois saved the Greens from a manita by diverting 'a nice headline for Rowe's strike (77'). Not enough to save a mixed performance. Despite everything, it is impossible to blame Brice Maubleu for the failure, once again, of the Saint-Etienne collective this Sunday, symbolized by the red card stupidly collected by Ibrahim Sissoko (20').
A youth who scores points?
If it seems clear that the ASSE striker, despite his apologies to the group, did not score points in the mind of Eirik Horneland, the Saint-Etienne youth, for their part, managed to illustrate rather positively. Indeed, the new Norwegian coach of the Greens was able to appreciate several young people trained at Étrat. Established in the right lane to compensate for the absence of Pierre Cornud, Kévin Pedro (18 years old) was not ridiculous against the Marseille left side made up of Merlin and Rabiot.
Although he will still have to expand technically and physically, the young Saint-Etienne has not let himself be overwhelmed. To see again. For his part, entered after the second Marseille goal to replace Benjamin Bouchouari suffering from a back (34'), Cheikh Fall (20 years old), in a right midfield position that he does not necessarily master, could have given a little balm in the hearts of the 34,547 supporters present at Geoffroy-Guichard. Launched from deep by Mathieu Cafaro, the Senegalese managed to eliminate De Lange before being caught at the last minute by Balerdi (60').
An occasion which could have left a bitter taste for Ayman Aïki, who returned at the break in place of a transparent Zuriko Davitashvili, who could have been served by his teammate to finish in the empty goal. Nothing to tarnish the fine entry of the 19-year-old player, at the origin of the other Stéphanois action after the break, when he resisted Balerdi before finding Cafaro on the opposite side, the Greens winger stumbling on the OM goalkeeper (58'). The last youngster to appear on Sunday, Jebryl Sahraoui (19 years old). Entering at the break to be alongside Pierre Ekwah in the middle, the young Algerian held his place against the opposing Champions League level midfield. A good omen for the future.
A transfer window more crucial than ever for ASSE
What happens next will be crucial for ASSE. In the stands on Sunday and before taking up his duties on December 29, Eirik Horneland was able to measure the extent of the work that awaits him to keep the Greens in Ligue 1. And as things currently stand, the squad does not is clearly not up to par. Interviewed by beIN Sports before the match against OM, Ivan Gazidis gave an initial assessment of the first six months of Kilmer Sports Ventures at the head of ASSE, not excluding that new investments are obligatory this winter.
“Of course we are open to the idea of improving the team. After the summer emergencies, we better understand our needs today. We will continue to invest intelligently moving forward”explained the president of ASSE. If he refutes casting errors during the summer transfer window – “I believe in the value of our players” -, the shortcomings are still glaring and the recruitment of one player per line, at a minimum, seems obligatory this winter.
Priority positions in defense, right and left backs. Between an injured Yvann Maçon and an unsatisfactory Pierre Cornud, ASSE plays in Ligue 1 with the same pair of full-backs who played in Ligue 2 (Pétrot, Appiah). Far too tight to compete in a much tougher championship. A boss in midfield would not be too much (eg: Santamaria) while at least one offensive creator to help Zuriko Davitashvili would clearly not do the job. But the Saint-Etienne management and the new coach will have to act quickly. The Reims reception is already on January 4!
