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“On Saturday, ASSE followed up a third draw in three days at Geoffroy-Guichard against LOSC (1-1). The results follow and resemble each other. They leave a mixed feeling. In the way, it’s a little different. This season, the Greens know how to act, as they did in Lens, or react as was the case against Lorient and therefore Lille. We will say that the team is in progress compared to the recent past where ASSE functioned almost only in reaction.
“Green, Sow … At the defensive level, it’s quite reassuring”
Against a Lille champion (whom I still find well below his level of last year with Christophe Galtier), Etienne Green was once again very good. The Greens goalkeeper made great interventions to keep his team in the match at 0-1. Already in Lens, Green had released a very good match. Even if I do not like to come out of individualities, it must be recognized that the young Saint Etienne goalkeeper is confirming the good arrangements of last season.
The other reassuring point of this match against Lille is that after seeing Nadé very good against Lorient, we were entitled to a Saïdou Sow not only solid but also scorer with a nice header from a corner. Alongside Harold Moukoudi, ASSE holds Pape Abou Cissé’s replacements. At the defensive level, it’s quite reassuring even if we are not going to ignite. When we see the youth of the workforce, we can imagine that some will make mistakes during the season. This is the price to pay for ASSE’s bet. Now, facing LOSC, I appreciated Sow’s performance. At the end of the Mercato, the defensive sector does not worry me. Even without reinforcement, it will not be a disaster.
“Nothing says that this rare bird exists on the market”
On the other hand, offensively it would take a number 9. Saturday, ASSE was sterile against the Mastiffs. To see a shot on target, it was not until Mahdi Camara in the 61st minute. The quality is there in the preparation of the actions but it is uneven from weekend to weekend. As for the finish, it is a recurring problem. Saint-Etienne lacks a Burak Yilmaz. I love Hamouma, I have esteem for Khazri – who is in good shape – or for Bouanga but they are not “killers” in the area. Among the Greens, no one offers the guarantee of 10 – 15 goals per season.
Of course, the balls have to arrive, the preparation of the actions must be good, but you can’t really count on a special player at the end. There is not this racy striker who makes good calls, who is cold and clinical against the opposing goalkeeper … Finding this player is obviously in the minds of the managers of Saint-Etienne and the staff. Now there is only one week of Mercato left and nothing says that this rare bird exists on the market for “low cost” players. A good player who scores goals is unfortunately very expensive in terms of salary and transfer …
“Three points on the clock is not enough”
After taking three points in three days, Saint-Etienne will now face a huge calendar. A schedule that will take him to Marseille from next weekend. Against Lens and Lille, ASSE got off to a good start, remaining undefeated. After three points on the clock, it is not enough to be serene in the straight line that awaits the Greens. Two or three points are missing to tackle the main course that will follow OM (Montpellier, Bordeaux, Monaco, Nice, OL). The start of the season often offers some surprises. In Saint-Etienne to take advantage of its discreet and solid start to get points from the big guys … “
The ASSE chronicle by Denis Balbir
If he tries to draw the positive from ASSE’s draw against LOSC (1-1), Denis Balbir also points to the recurring ills of Claude Puel’s team before the end of the Mercato and that a big series of shock does not get in the way of its Greens.
