The maintenance mission remains complex for ASSE, currently 16th in Ligue 1 and first play-off. After a tight draw against Nantes (1-1), Eirik Horneland's men are preparing for a decisive month. Between dangerous trips and direct confrontations, the Greens will have no room for error.
A crucial trip to Auxerre
The next meeting of the Stéphanois is scheduled at Auxerre this Friday, a team fighting to avoid the depths of the ranking. This match will be crucial in terms of maintaining, because AJA is a direct competitor although they have 22 points. In the event of defeat, ASSE could find itself in great difficulty. Points are worth double in this type of encounter. Fourth best team at home with five victories, three for only one defeat, we quickly understand the task that awaits ASSE.
Calendar noted for ASSE
After Auxerre, Saint-Étienne will have to face Lille at the Stade Pierre-Mauroy, a team well established in the race for Europe and renowned for its efficiency at home (5th team in this area). Then will follow the reception of Stade Rennais, a team which must at all costs take points to extricate itself from a critical situation. These two matches represent immense challenges for a team lacking confidence.
The match against Rennes will be all the more important as the Bretons remain unpredictable. Recently beaten by Brest at home, Rennes are standing still and have the same number of points as ASSE (17). The Greens will, however, find their two kops for the occasion, after two meetings behind closed doors.
The hope of winter reinforcement
A busy schedule which will require confirmation of the best face displayed by Eirik Horneland's players. The point counter will have to run in this race to maintain. At the same time, Saint-Etienne leaders will have to be active on the transfer market to strengthen a group which has deficiencies. Recruits will have to arrive to bring new life to a team in search of solutions.
This calendar could well be the turning point of the season for Saint-Étienne. Between the need to take points against direct competitors and the obligation to resist the championship leaders, each match will be a final. The Greens will have to be more efficient and continue to progress to hope to get their heads above water and offer themselves a future in Ligue 1.
-Four complicated meetings for ASSE
Day 19
Day 20
- Lille – AS Saint-Etienne
- Reims – Nantes
- Rennes – Strasbourg
Day 21
- AS Saint-Etienne – Rennes
- Nantes – Brest
- Lyon – Reims
Day 22
- Ace Monaco – Nantes
- Reims – Angers
- Rennes – Lille
