In front of the score for 85 minutes, LOSC showed good things throughout the game but were inefficient offensively. The Greens return to the score at the end of the match and snatch the draw, (1-1).
Start of the season complicated for the Mastiffs with a draw and a heavy defeat on the clock. On the road to Geoffroy-Guichard, on the lawn of AS Saint-Etienne, the LOSC must regain control and garner its first 3 points. A pressure of the result that was felt from the first minutes of the match. In front of their home crowd, the Greens dominated from the start and set foot on the ball. The Stéphanois block is playing high and showing a good passing game which undermines a Lille team that is far from serene. A sterile domination that does not lead to any frank opportunity before the debates balance and then reverse. After a shy start to the match, the Mastiffs regained possession of the ball and project themselves. But in their clumsy offensives, the Lille fish for technical efficiency, lacking communication and coordination in calls as well as transitions. An imprecision that kills in the bud many attempts at construction in counter as well as in placed attack. Despite everything, several offensives are interesting. A twirling Timothy Weah opens breaches and weakens the opposing block but Burak Yilmaz loses his duels in front of goal. It is only part postponed for the Turkish striker who opened the scoring on the first shot on target of the game (38 ′). On a high recovery, Jonathan David serves Benjamin André who plays forward for Burak Yilmaz. With his back to the goal, the Kraal loses the ball in a combination with his Canadian friend then recovers it, turns towards the goal and sends a powerful strike well enough placed to deceive Etienne Green. Led to the score, the Greens are revealed and go up more. A change of physiognomy that could have benefited the Mastiffs, dazzling against, if the porter of ASSE had not been so vigilant. Lille return to the locker room with a short lead.
Confidence regained, the Mastiffs return in anger from the locker room and try to make the break. Several offensives followed but David missed a good opportunity to double the bet. After several attempts, the Greens regained the upper hand and Lille retreated as the minutes ticked by. Assaulting the LOSC defensive bloc, ASSE tries through Camara or Bouanga but Grbic is vigilant. Against and led by Ikoné, the Mastiffs could have struck a big blow but David slipped into the box when he was alone against goal. The domination is local but the clear opportunities are Lille. Yusuf Yazici stumbles on Etienne Green. On the following action, Claude Puel’s men were awarded a corner from Nordin. The Stéphanois finds Saidou Sow at the far post, his powerful header hits the bar and goes to the back of the net, (85 ′). The Greens equalize at the end of the game and surf on this beautiful dynamic but the score does not budge. The Mastiffs left Saint-Etienne with a draw (1-1). A bad result in view of the scenario of the meeting. LOSC has only gained a small point and will meet Montpellier at the Stade Pierre Mauroy on August 29.
ASSE 1 – 1 LOSC
3rd day of Ligue 1 – Saturday August 21, 9 p.m. – Stade Geoffroy-Guichard
Referee: Mr. Lesage
Goals: Yilmaz (38 ’) for LOSC and Sow (85 ′) for ASSE
Warnings: Djalo (19 ’) and Yilmaz (20’), Xeka (77 ′) for LOSC and Khazri (80 ′) for ASSE
LOSC: Grbic – Reinildo, Botman, Fonte, Djalo – Weah (Yazici 81 ′), Xeka, André, Bamba (Ikoné 75 ′) – Yilmaz, David (Gomes 81 ′).
Coach: Jocelyn Gourvennec
AS Saint-Etienne: Green – Mason, Sow, Moukoudi, Kolodziejczak – Camara, Neyou (Douath (80 ′), Youssouf (Nordin 58 ′) – Hamouma (Aouchiche 69 ′), Khazri (Krasso 81 ′), Bouanga (Saban 69 ′).
Coach: Claude Puel