ASSE played Montpellier after the last international break of the calendar year and concluded it with a 1-0 victory. A match with always a special flavor for supporters of both camps. As after each meeting, here are the tops and flops of this Saturday's meeting.
Two weeks after the last day of the championship, and the defeat in the derby, the Greens hosted the MHSC, last in the standings. Two teams with a catastrophic defensive record. 31 goals conceded for Gasset's men and 25 for the Greens.
A checkered first half
It is the Paillade club which first proves dangerous. Arnaud Nordin comes up against Gautier Larsonneur in the third minute. Olivier Dall'Oglio's men react. In the 8th minute, Ibrahim Sissoko missed a face-to-face. Fortunately for him, he had touched the ball with his hand.
Boakye tries his hand a few moments later, in vain. Louis Mouton kicks a corner. But Batubinsika's header does not find the target.
In the 24th minute, Montpellier obtained two free kicks in the middle, but Téji Savanier failed to create any danger. About ten minutes later. Arnaud Nordin is overflowing. Center… Téji Savanier has the goal open, but Abdelhamid saves the Stéphanois with an exceptional tackle. No penalty according to VAR.
An ideal start to the second period
The Greens started very strongly in the second half with a corner obtained. In the 46th minute, Mouton was again in charge. Montpellier cannot break free. Benjamin Bouchouari took advantage, and opened the scoring with a perfect volley. 1 to 0 for the Greens!
Geoffroy-Guichard explodes and pushes his players to the break goal. Zuriko Davitashvili comes up against Benjamin Lecomte. Montpellier does not give up. And provokes. Tamari infiltrates the Saint-Etienne area, and Léo Pétrot is sanctioned with a foul by the referee. So penalty or not? The VAR intervenes and indicates that there is nothing.
Montpellier will then try everything for everything, but will not be able to come back to the score. ASSE wins and comes out of the last places, going from play-off to 13th in the ranking.
The tops of ASSE
Younis Abdelhamid
If he has been widely criticized since his arrival in Forez, against Montpellier this Saturday the former Rémois responded. Starting in the absence of the injured Nadé in central defense, the Moroccan was decisive for his team. In particular by saving a huge opportunity on Savanier when the goal was wide open. In addition to this gesture, he showed great solidity in the duels, winning almost all of them.
Benjamin Bouchouari's goal
The Saint-Etienne midfielder allowed his team to win a crucial match. Certainly the copy is not as full as in recent times but Bouchouari is gaining strength as the days go by. The latter was rewarded just after returning from the locker room, by scoring the one and only goal of the match with a superb volley.
3 crucial points
How good this victory feels! In an important match between two competitors for maintenance, it was the Ligeriens who won. They were especially sharper in front of the cages. A nice success which allows the men from Forez to climb to provisional thirteenth place.
ASSE’s flops
A very weak match
Yes, the Greens emerged victorious against the residents of Mosson, but the overall performance of the match leaves something to be desired. Dall'Oglio's men had very few clear chances and scared themselves very badly with turnovers in midfield. Fortunately, La Paillade was not able to take advantage of it.
Moueffek's entry
For several matches, the ASSE midfielder has been well below its level. Demoted to the bench, Moueffek struggles to make a difference when he returns. And this was seen once again this Saturday evening, with a delicate entrance.
Clashes between supporters
Montpellier hoped to count on its 300 supporters planned in the visitor park, in vain. Clashes took place around the stadium and Montpellier residents were invited to return home by the Loire prefecture. They were therefore unable to attend their team's match.
Quentin Verchere
Related News :