The Greens did not tremble in the Costières arena. We should not lose the game of fear against Nîmes, direct competitor for maintenance, and they mastered their subject from start to finish. There would be a lot to say about the chaotic season for the Saint Etienne team, but we can only applaud their ability to react when they find themselves with their backs to the wall.
Severely and logically beaten by Monaco (0-4) just before the truce, Debuchy’s teammates were not let down by the last twist of fate that struck them, with the double forfeit of their two goalkeepers Jessy Moulin and Stefan Bajic , both injured.
The jewel of Khazri
Etienne Green (20), the new green angel, more than fulfilled his mission, even stopping a more than severe penalty from Ripart (87th) which could have revived a quickly stale suspense. As in Angers (0-1), where he had already scored a sumptuous goal, it was Wahbi Khazri who again led the Greens to this precious success of a jewel under the helm of Neyret, while in force this time. (23rd).
With a good history, the end of the Gard afternoon was also marked by a bold goal from Denis Bouanga, who replaced Arnaud Nordin at a moment’s notice, injured during the warm-up. Challenged for his lack of offensive success, the former Crocos stunned the Nimois with a floating strike that will undoubtedly weigh heavily in the maintenance operation (66 ‘).
Despite a start marked by a confusing technical feverishness, and the more than limited commitment of the Nîmes who offered nothing else for 45 minutes except martyring Bouanga’s ankles, the Stéphanois constantly had control of the So much so that apart from a controlled fist exit, a shot from Ferhat on his post (39th), and an attempt by Koné skillfully repelled (68th), Green experienced a rather quiet first. To tell the truth, the score is not paid dearly in view of the dominance of Claude Puel’s players, who are still so vociferous on his bench. Abi missed the opening goal with a tight cross from Trauco (16th), and especially Camara stumbled on Neyret’s gloves skillfully shifted by Aouchiche (41st) before Moukoudi found the bar with his head. And Hamouma was denied an offside goal (69 ‘).
With these three points which are worth gold, the Greens not only leave their opponent of the day, barrage, to seven units while passing Brest (16th), beaten by Lorient (1-0), and sticking to the small pack formed from Strasbourg and Bordeaux, all at 36 points. Precisely, in a week, it is the Girondins who land in Geoffroy-Guichard. By putting the same ingredients there as against the Nimois, the Stéphanois can hope to obtain a success that would smell good the maintenance. On condition of finally showing consistency and regularity.