On his bench, Claude Puel rejoices. The Cauldron begins to boil. At 19, Saïdou Sow certainly lived the strongest moment of his young career. Passed from U19 to professionals by skipping the reserve box, the Guinean central defender allowed the Greens to snatch the draw against Lille (1-1), this Saturday evening, the third in as many matches after Lorient (1-1) ) and Lens (2-2).
Forgotten at the far post, the Guinean international headed a corner from Aouchiche (1-1, 86 ‘) to capsize Geoffroy-Guichard. This goal, his first in the Saint-Etienne jersey, rewarded a complete match. Returning to Bollaert last weekend without having played any preparatory meeting after contracting Covid-19 during the summer, Saïdou Sow was imperial defensively. From the outset, he got the better of the colossus Yilmaz before making two extremely precious gestures. First by countering a shot from “king” Burak who seemed to be going in the net (25 ‘) then by tackling perfectly a cross from Weah (37’) who only asked to be caught in the penalty area.
The Greens have given the key
The Saint-Etienne-trained player, however, was unable to do anything with Lille’s opener. Because the Greens have, all alone, given the key to the players of Jocelyn Gourvennec. In a padlocked and rather balanced first half, Lille did not hesitate to sanction a poorly supported ball from Bouanga towards Camara on the edge of the area.
Despite Green, Yilmaz found the top corner and the net for the first time this season (0-1, 38th). Shy until then because probably still scalded by the slap received at home against Nice (0-4) a week ago, the Lille have displayed a face much more consistent with that of a champion of France. That of the Greens, full of energy and generosity in Lens (2-2) a week ago, did not illuminate a very hot but still sparse Cauldron, filled with “only” 20,673 supporters, only at the end of part.
Without Green, impeccable ahead of David (40th, 55th), Bamba (48th), Yilmaz (58th) and Yacizi (84th), the case could have been closed long before. Still in the game thanks to his goalkeeper, Claude Puel’s men, who had led the same eleven as in Lens, did not seem really able to equalize. Overall masters of the ball for a good half hour, the Stéphanois have long lacked sharpness and a touch of madness, like Camara, who stopped when serving Bouanga instead of leading the counter with him (31st).
The Gabonese, at fault on the northern goal, tried to light a few wicks (17th, 41st, 66th) but never found the frame until his exit twenty minutes from time. Mason (49th), Hamouma (51st) and Khazri (70th) were no more skilful. Only Camara, from afar, warmed the gloves of Grbic, calm for his first with Losc after arriving Thursday from Atlético Madrid. But that was without counting on Saïdou Sow.