At the end of a closed match, AS Saint-Étienne was looking for a draw in extremis (1-1) against Stade de Reims as part of the 26th day of Ligue 1.
Ligue 1 – 26th Journe
 Saint Etienne |
1 – 10 – 0 |
Reims  |
| C. Abi 89 ‘ | 72 ‘ E. Toure |
The series continues for ASSE. After four unbeaten league games, the Greens preserved their invincibility thanks to a late-game goal from Charles Abi. The start of the match is also to the advantage of Stéphanois who keep the ball, but lack inspiration in the last thirty meters. Neyou’s teammates therefore fail to create an opportunity. The first alert of the meeting is to the credit of the Rémois. On a cross from Konan from the left, Mbuku rises above everyone to send an acrobatic kickback not powerful enough to worry Moulin (29th). The response of the Greens is just as timid, Khazri crushes his shot and the two teams leave on this goalless draw at the break.
Air Bilal Toure
The second period is more rhythmic. The two teams are released, but the accuracy is still lacking to the 22 players especially in the last or penultimate gesture. Less domineering than in the first act, the Forez players still get two opportunities on strikes from Camara and Nordin well stopped by Rajkovic (60 & 61st). The Champenois goalkeeper allows his team to stay alive and as often in this kind of closed match, the situation will settle on a set piece. Reims gets a corner that Berisha takes care of pulling. El Bilal Touré frees himself from Abi’s marking to cut at the near post and place an unstoppable uncrossed header (72nd).
The Greens full of resources
Guion’s men are ahead and pass very close to the goal of the break. Well launched by Mbuku, Boulaye Dia crosses his shot from the right which comes to die next to the post of Moulin (74th). Saint-Étienne tries to come back, but the head of Aouchiche, forgotten at the second post, grazes the square of the visitors (87th). After this big opportunity, the Greens manage to equalize. On a distant free kick, Cissé deflected for Moukoudi whose volley was miraculously saved on his line by Munetsi. The ball returns to Abi who finishes right full of opportunism (90th). Returning to equality, the locals even have the opportunity to turn the situation around, but Bouanga misses the target two meters from the goals (93rd). The two formations therefore leave on this logical draw (1-1). This point allows Saint-Étienne to climb to 14th place, just behind Reims. The two teams have 30 points each and will face Lorient and Montpellier respectively on the next day.