ASSE left to live on oxygen until the end of the season. After the breath of fresh air in Nice on Sunday (0-1), the Greens were suffocated for a long time on Wednesday night.
Saint-Etienne missed a great opportunity to breathe a little
In a Geoffroy-Guichard where they have not won since September 12 against Strasbourg (2-0), they nevertheless reacted to take a point (1-1) while the Nantes people are certainly back on the bus with regrets. Still sixteenth with four points ahead of his evening opponent, 17th, and as much over play-off Lorient (one game less), Saint-Etienne missed a great opportunity to breathe a little better. Except that for fifty minutes, the Ligériens did not give the impression of playing a match, if it is not capital, at least very important for the maintenance.
Enterprising, imperial in the middle if not realistic until Abi’s life-saving return to the French Riviera, Claude Puel’s men were long unrecognizable three days later. Nantes, direct competitors, showed much more determination and desire. They were logically rewarded by Kolo Muani’s opener at the conclusion of a superb collective action (0-1, 36 ‘).
Not helped by an Aouchiche stingy with defensive efforts, Trauco suffered while on the other side, Debuchy, struck violently by Abi on a corner, collapsed, alone, a few seconds later on the lawn and had to give in its place in Gourna (27th). Without their guide but with their recruit Pope Abou Cissé, the Foréziens were crumbly. And Kolo Muani must still blame himself for having played too easy his duel against Moulin (41st) when Simon smashed the crossbar after returning from the locker room (48th).
A nobody who does not help anyone
Shaken by the ultras on Friday and Saturday, it seems that, this time, it is the strike on the amount that woke them up. In three minutes, Bouanga (54th, 56th) and Hamouma (57th) sounded the revolt. Until the equalization in fox of Camara (1-1, 57 ‘), repositioned right side at the exit of Debuchy and already author of a beautiful header out by Lafont (34’).
Confidence has changed sides and Raymond Domenech’s men, still looking for his first victory since his arrival (four draws, two losses), retreat. Entered at the break, Modeste, on loan from Cologne, was even very close to turning into a savior, missing his head on a caviar from Trauco (69th). If ASSE tries to force the decision, it is Moulin who allows his side to keep the draw by closing his near post (72nd). A rather logical draw but one that does not suit anyone.
In three days, a new fight awaits the Greens with the reception of Metz, Sunday (3 p.m.). With the aim of playing two halves to end nearly five months without a win in the Cauldron. To breathe a little better again.