“Sunday evening, against Lille, AS Saint-Etienne ended their series of defeats (1-1). On paper, it’s a good performance even if the Greens could have won by being less apathetic about the northern equalizer. On this goal, Jessy Moulin, whom I often defend, is a bit short. It’s a shame but it’s still a good result. In my last column, I disregarded the LOSC match because it was for me lost points. Like many Greens fans no doubt, I thought that Saint-Etienne would have a hard time containing a favorite for the title. They did, and that’s pretty good news.
“A point that will count at the psychological level”
Given the scenario and the penalty awarded to Wahbi Khazri, the draw may also be a bit far-fetched. Penalty? No penalty? Controversial use of VAR? The purists will still have two-hour debates but, in the meantime, this point is good. More than at the accounting level, this is a point that will count on a psychological level. Now ASSE is starting a very important series with this trip to Dijon on Sunday (3 p.m.). There, it will be imperative to win. Even if the Icaunais woke up in Nice (1-3), there is no other choice but to bring back a result from Gaston-Gérard.
Against LOSC, there was more experience on the pitch for the Greens. I have often defended the fact that ASSE had to find a balance between the desire to launch young people and the need for immediate results by putting more executives on the field. It also required that the infirmary be empty. Over the last few weeks, it was difficult for Claude Puel to compose a competitive team given the number of injured workers. He did it with the means at hand. Today, the Debuchy and Co are coming back little by little.
Rather than getting stuck in a project with young people, the coach uses everyone. It concerns Wahbi Khazri and Ryad Boudebouz. Even if these are starting players, which the club no longer necessarily wanted and who earn high salaries, they had to be revived. Today, they bring their experience and talent. It’s okay to give them the keys. The executives are there to help the young people. The reverse should not happen. Wahbi Khazri led the way against Lille.
“Caiazzo in Dubai?” If it succeeds, the supporters will cry genius “
The weekend was also marked by the visit of Bernard Caïazzo to the Emirates to discuss “investment opportunities in Saint-Etienne” with the Dubai Sports Council. A very commented trip. If that succeeds, the supporters will cry genius. If this is not the case, we will say that the “com ‘” operation was useless. It should be borne in mind that French football is in a difficult economic situation and that all actions aimed at the sustainability of ASSE are good to take. In these times, it’s normal to go pick up economies that are more flourishing than ours.
We often complain that the two presidents do nothing, that one is more of a supporter than a manager, that the other, who is a financier, stays at home or in Paris … We are not going to start criticize when management moves to seek solutions and solidify the economy of ASSE ”.