That’s my opinion
It is clear, and it is a surprise: Saint-Etienne is a candidate for maintenance to avoid what would be a real disaster in Forez. With Claude Puel at the foot of the mountain.
The first period was a shipwreck as rarely seen. Aged Greens, outraged, with less than 22% possession. For how many years had ASSE not damaged its image of a historic club to this point? Sure, OL would come out triumphant. And then, Claude Puel knew how to find the words of survival at half-time, especially he operated a tactical change which densified the Stéphane midfielder, limiting the influence of Bruno Guimaraes who hit three times less balls after the break.
He quickly understood that the future of the team could not rest on Ruffier, Perrin, Debuchy, Cabaye, M’vila, all valiant, all worn out or almost. Claude Puel knew he should change everything.
An opinion to find in the new issue of France Football available now on newsstands or in digital edition by clicking here.