ASSE conceded its tenth defeat of the season on the pitch in Toulouse, Friday December 13 (2-1). Yet ahead in the score thanks to Lucas Stassin's first goal, the Greens were knocked down by Toulouse who highlighted Saint-Etienne's problems. Here are the three lessons to remember from this 15th day.
Lucas Stassin finally launched?
Arriving on the last day of the summer transfer window with the most expensive rookie label in the club's history (9 million + 1 bonus), Lucas Stassin (20 years old) is slow to meet the expectations of ASSE supporters. Established alternating with Ibrahim Sissoko at the forefront of the Greens' attack (6 starts, 5 starters), the young Belgian had still not found the net before this trip to Toulouse.
Aligned from the start despite a very difficult performance, like the team, against Marseille, Lucas Stassin had a complicated first period at the Stadium. The only offensive player with Zuriko Davitashvili, the young striker was champing at the bit, jostled by the rough Charlie Cresswell. And when space opened up in front of him, he was, to his great regret, forgotten by the Georgian as the two men went two against one just before the break.
Finally, on the first green situation in the second half, Lucas Stassin finally managed to unlock his counter in the ASSE jersey. An express ball exit orchestrated by Benjamin Bouchouari who found Dennis Appiah on the right of the field. The Stéphanois full-back then sent a superb cross to the far post for Lucas Stassin, who scored with his left foot (53'). A release for him and for a whole group who came to congratulate him. A short-lived joy since Toulouse returned to the score 111 seconds later, before the end of the match as we know. For the Belgian, a first goal which, we hope, will lead to others.
An obvious lack of maturity for ASSE
The Greens were the only team in Ligue 1 to still not have led for a single second since the start of the season. In Toulouse, they were fortunate to open the scoring thanks to Lucas Stassin's first goal (53'). But true to this unflattering statistic, they conceded the equalizer 111 seconds later on a header from Shavy Babicka at the far post (55'). It is often said that the five minutes after a goal are crucial, ASSE can attest to this.
And the lack of maturity of the Stéphanois did not stop there. Entering at the end of the match (74'), Ayman Aiki must not have had a good night. After a corner hit by Benjamin Bouchouari, the young winger trained at Étrat saw the ball return to his feet at the entrance to the area. Taking too much time, he lost it, allowing Toulouse to go on a counterattack. A quick, fatal action for ASSE with, at the end, the victorious header from Zakaria Aboukhlal (85').
If the new leaders have favored the DATA model since taking office last summer, it must be said that, for the moment, the graft is not taking hold. Young people to lose sight of and a workforce that is sorely lacking in experience and quality. At the winter break, and after 15 days, ASSE is in 16th place, synonymous with play-offs.
A transfer window that promises to be decisive
And to bring quality to this squad, the next transfer window must not be missed by the Saint-Etienne board. Indeed, if the first fuse has blown, with the ouster of Olivier Dall'Oglio on Saturday, the Greens will not be able to save themselves without the arrival of 4 to 5 players accustomed to Ligue 1.
For this, the ASSE management will also have to not persist in a DATA model which could cause the loss of the Greens, and an express return to Ligue 2. Because if the names recruited last summer are promising ( Stassin, Davitashvili, Old, Boakye…), the reality on the ground is quite different, while the Greens will spend the holidays in the red zone.
After six months of observation, the dismissal of Olivier Dall'Oglio perhaps shows that Kilmer Sports Ventures has become aware of the shortcomings in the workforce. To avoid an immediate return to the antechamber of French football, there is urgency.
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