AS Saint-Étienne lost to Stade de Reims (3-1) on Saturday on Matchday 19 of Ligue 1. ASSE conceded their first league loss since November.
ASSE dominated by Stade de Reims
After a promising draw against PSG (1-1), AS Saint-Étienne fell on the lawn of the Stade de Reims. On Saturday, ASSE were beaten by the Champagne club (3-1). A brace from Boulaye Dia (12th s.p and 37th) and an achievement by Mathieu Cafaro (58th) allowed the Stadistes to win. Author of his first goal of the season, Charles Abi (72nd) saved his family’s honor at Auguste-Delaune. Following this setback, Saint-Étienne saw their seven-game unbeaten streak wear off. Men from Claude Puel had not bowed since November 21 and a loss to Stade Bretsois (4-1). The Greens are now in 16th place in Ligue 1, 5 points ahead of play-off Dijon. They lost again Panagiotis Retsos on injury against Reims.
Debuchy’s rant after the defeat
Captain of AS Saint-Étienne, Mathieu Debuchy ranted against the referee. The Stéphanois side believes that the penalty conceded cooled his people. “We started the game well but then we lost ground. There was this penalty for them, which favored them […] Tonight, Reims evolved one more on the field. It’s a shame, we gave the maximum […] Maybe we sucked, but other people, especially the referee, misses his match, “blurted the defender at the microphone of Telefoot. He is already looking ahead to the next ASSE game on Sunday in Alsace. “We will try to start again next weekend in Strasbourg, that will be important,” continued the Greens captain.
By Angel A.