Tops
Abi, in motion
Unlike Modeste, which is more static to serve as a fulcrum, the attacker, a pure product of Saint-Etienne training, offered more call solutions to his teammates. Multiplying combinations and crosses, he often turned out to be dangerous. Always in the duel on the centers that they could dispute, however, he lacked promptness in the face of a solid Lensoise central defense. He would have deserved better on his strike on the right side which finds the post of Leca (54th). An action that perfectly illustrates what the striker can bring to this team.
Aouchiche finally in his register
Often wandered to the sides during his last outings, the former Parisian has found his favorite playing area, the midfielder. Posted alongside Mahdi Camara in a role of torchbearer, he was sharp from the first minutes. Combining with Abi or Monnet-Paquet, he energized the Saint-Etienne game. Skillful on set pieces, he offered the goal of hope to Moukoudi on a corner shortly before the break. A half that cut his legs, since he gradually disappeared after returning from the locker room, while the Lensois put their foot on the ball.
Camara still very active
With an almost perfect passing game, the Saint-Etienne midfielder was able to assert his quality of races. Offering calls to Debuchy and Nordin, he allowed the Greens to play very high in the first period despite the opposing midfielder that he often perforated. Lacking success on his long shot in the first act, he was instrumental in the recovery phases exercised in his camp. A serious match that could have been rewarded with an assist, if Modeste had known more success on his strike (74th).
The flops
Moukoudi lost the North
From the outset, the Saint-Etienne defender got into difficulty by offering a penalty to the Lensois, by hanging Kalimuendo in the penalty area. Still, his goal before half-time could have put his head right side up. This was never really the case. Winning only one duel, his goal, during the meeting, he did not have his usual impact on the opposing attack. Worse, he refuses the aerial duel in stoppage time, bringing the third goal of the Lensois which kills the match permanently. An evening to forget.
Nordin, absent from radars
It is far from the end of last year when the winger seemed to be the detonator of the Stéphane attack. Established for the second time in a row, Nordin completely disappeared from circulation after a quarter of an hour of play. Little in demand in Lorient, he managed to improve his few balls. This Wednesday, he only touched 23 to lose 9, or nearly 40% of the balls played. After an hour of play, Claude Puel decided to put an end to his ordeal by replacing him with Modeste, just as discreet.
Cissé plays at scare himself
Already in difficulty in Lorient, the winter recruit who had brought his serenity until then, is now suffering the alarming situation of the Stéphanois. From his first touches of the ball, the central defender stammered his football, trying to dribble without being able to ensure a serene pass thereafter. Certainly, the guy continues to dominate his aerial duels, but like offensive situations, he lacks control. Even today, he has two great scoring chances that he fails to convert, despite his size advantage.