In this match between two attractive teams at the start of the season, we expected a balanced and lively game. Animated, it was but balanced not at all because the Lensois very quickly dominate the Greens with their collective momentum. Opposite Claude Puel’s men are quickly overwhelmed by events and within a quarter of an hour of play a foul by Timothée Kolodziejczak in the penalty area on Ignatius Ganago is sanctioned, at first with a yellow card but the VAR pushes the decision until the red card.
Gaël Kakuta converted the first penalty conceded by A.S. Saint-Etienne since the start of the season (0-1). Nothing goes for Sainté and the Greens come close to double correction with a Lensois goal refused for offside from Facundo Medina.
The return of Wahbi Khazri
Wahbi Khazri, selected in the AS Saint-Etienne squad for the trip to Lens, comes into play after half-time. The Tunisian international (29) had not been summoned by general manager Claude Puel since the final of the Coupe de France against PSG on July 24 at the Stade de France.
Whabi Khazri who rams his teammates down shortly after the hour mark with a gross foul. Red card ! The Greens evolve at 9 against 11.
Ten minutes from the end of this ordeal, the Lensois doubled down and sealed the last hopes. Florian Sotoca takes a corner with his head in a motionless Stéphane defense (0-2).