Almost five months after his last home success, theASSE returned to victory at Geoffroy-Guichard by beating the FC Metz (1-0), on the occasion of the 24th day of Ligue 1. Three important points which allow the Greens to climb to 15th place and especially to take 11 points ahead of the two relegation and potentially put FC Nantes remotely, which faced LOSC. But that victory came at a price with the injury outing of Romain Hamouma.
ASSE wins against the fit team
The arrival of FC Metz of Frédéric Antonetti could have made the Stéphanois fear the worst. Sevenths of League 1 before the game after the point taken by RC Lens on Saturday against Stade Rennais, the Garnets have been a scarecrow lately with a series of five games without defeat. But the ASSE of Claude Puel took the match head-to-head by putting pressure on Messins early on and opening the scoring in the 14th minute with the help of defender John Boye, scorer against his side, after a free kick from Romain Hamouma. The surprise device of the coachAS Saint-Etienne allowed his team to neutralize the ambitions of the Moselle and his players were able to remain solid until the end, with a Pope Abou Cissé.
“The defense at 5? It is a device that we tried yesterday (Saturday), explained Claude Puel at a press conference. Mathieu Debuchy being unavailable, I wanted to see what it could be like against this dense team. “Well he took it.” We did not concede an opportunity in this match, added the coach of AS Saint-Etienne . I am satisfied with the solidarity, to have won such a committed match. Faced with an undefeated opponent in 2021, it’s encouraging. “Definitely, ASSE seems on the right track.” We had more situations, we could have played some better. I don’t remember a situation for FC Metz. I consider that we deserve all three points. “
Romain Hamouma injured in the knee, the black point
“This victory is good. We were in point debt, recalled Claude Puel. The first period was very well controlled. We took seven points in three games, that’s positive.” Above all, ASSE gave a better face from the start of the match, which had cost him during the week against the FC Nantes. The Saint-Etienne coach can also be satisfied with the performance of his executives, old or new. Pope Abu Cisse was the boss in defense and Romain Hamouma, the taulier in the midfield. Unfortunately, the Greens attacking midfielder came out in the second half, visibly affected in the knee. “We will take stock for Romain. He had a problem with an external ligament during a rotation. We will see what he has,” said Claude Puel, awaiting further examinations.
While the Foréziens took seven points out of the last nine possible and kept their goal untouched in two of their last three meetings, the loss of their playing master would be a real blow for Holy. And Claude Puel warns, it will especially not relax during the next matches. “TheASSE don’t breathe. Nobody lets go behind, it’s dense. Each team can make a great series, pick up very quickly. It’s a difficult championship and we have to fight for a long time, “warned the Greens coach.
Through Matthew