AS Saint-Etienne is back in Brittany. After a shipwreck in Brest (4-1 on November 21) and a nice success in Rennes (0-2 on February 14), the new Breton game which advances this Sunday against FC Lorient is probably the most important.
Lorient did not abdicate
Lorient, 19th (with 23 points) is fighting for his survival in Ligue 1. Promised to the descent after a completely failed start to the season, the Hakes have regained their colors for a month. A prestigious victory against Paris, points taken against Rennes and Monaco. The logical defeat against Lille and the cruel one against Nîmes on Wednesday probably did not completely erode the confidence of former Stéphanois Fabien Lemoine’s partners.
Faced with direct competitors, things get stuck for the Greens
For its part, Saint-Etienne, undefeated for five days, is still looking for a benchmark victory against a direct competitor for maintenance. Against Dijon, Nîmes, Nantes and Reims, the Stéphanois have never been able to get better than a draw. “In front of the teams of our zone we see that we had trouble concedes Claude Puel. These are special matches. The most difficult. You have to be strong in your head and in our football. “
Reason for hope: ASSE is more comfortable this season on the road, with two very convincing successes in the last two away league games (Nice and Rennes).
– Denis Souilla
Without Khazri, Ni Hamouma
For this trip Claude Puel will still have to do without Romain Hamouma (knee tendon), author of a double in the first leg at the end of August against Lorient. Whabi Khazri (gene in one thigh) will also be absent. In their absence Anthony Modeste should continue for the first time since his arrival this winter, a second tenure.