The AS Saint-Étienne players knew that they had to approach last weekend's match with a different mindset but they failed again. And in great widths. Fortunately, the Rennais were less realistic than the Nice two and a half months ago, otherwise the punishment could have been as severe.
A long ordeal in the second half
Once again, the Greens were dominated head and shoulders, far from Forez, last Saturday in Rennes (5 to 0). This time, their fall was precipitated by the expulsion of Mathieu Cafaro, guilty of having mistaken himself for a goalkeeper on a strike from Jordan James, after half an hour of play. striker who, a few minutes earlier, had just found Steve Mandanda's left post on a counter-attack launched by Louis Mouton, scored a penalty which allowed Arnaud Kalimuendo to open the scoring. Ten minutes later, it was Ludovic Blas who doubled the lead, just before the break. And to say that ASSE could – should have? – benefit from a penalty for a slight foul on… Mathieu Cafaro while the score was still goalless.
So far, the Greens have often succeeded
to restore a balance thanks to their performances at home but this time, the challenge
is noted.
The second period was nothing but a long ordeal for the Stéphanois who never showed the face of a collective determined not to let themselves be mistreated. Slapped in the first period, the Greens turned the other cheek. Worrying before welcoming Olympique de Marseille, the new runner-up to the Parisian leader, next Sunday at the Geoffroy-Guichard stadium. Until now, the Greens have often managed to restore a balance thanks to their performances at home but this time, the challenge has been taken up. Too much for this group, technically deficient, with this state of mind?
There are two matches left before the winter break. After receiving the Provençaux, ASSE, 15th and first non-relegation, will travel to Toulouse (10th). Supporters fear that their protégés will be relegated before the end of the year.
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