The victory was imperative for ASSE this Sunday after a catastrophic start to 2020. In a tense context after the dismissal of goalkeeper Stéphane Ruffier, the Greens must be content with the draw, after having yielded in the last moments of the game (1-1).
What you must remember
Europeans at the start of the season, 16th before the match against Reims, the Greens are now fighting not to go down to Ligue 2. Deprived of several executives (Hamouma, Khazri, Perrin), injured, and Fofana, suspended, Claude Puel decides to do back M'Vila in central defense. The technician also lines up goalkeeper Jessy Moulin, who was number 1 in the week after the usual holder Stéphane Ruffier was sidelined.
In lack of confidence, ASSE struggles to create opportunities during the first act. Too lonely at the tip of the attack, Loïs Diony landed the first strike on target of the match, without danger for Reims (16th), who responded with too imprecise attempts.
After a stop by Jessy Moulin opposite Touré (61st), the efforts of Saint-Etienne are rewarded. At the reception of a center from Franck Honorat, Denis Bouanga victoriously takes the ball from his head to sign his 9th goal of the season (73rd).
Rage. 😤 pic.twitter.com/vjPNRbjVsc
- AS Saint-Étienne (@ASSEofficiel) February 23, 2020In the process of gleaning a capital success, the Greens give in in the last moments of the meeting. Yann M'Vila hooks Boulaye Dia in the box (90th + 2). The striker does justice to himself (90th + 4) and prolongs the crisis that plagues Saint-Etienne, opposed to Olympique Lyonnais next Sunday
In the classification, Saint-Etienne is still 16th, two points behind Nîmes, the roadblocker, while Reims settled in the first part of the table (8th).
Player: Yann M'Vila
Usual midfielder, the French international was replaced in the defense line by his coach in the absence of Fofana and Perrin. Rather solid during almost the entire match, the former Rennes player is guilty of a silly foul on Boulaye Dia in additional time.
The number: 1
By conceding the draw this Sunday, Saint-Etienne scores its first point since January 25. This draw ends a series of four consecutive defeats in Ligue 1.