Saint-Etienne "took a blow behind the head"

Saint-Etienne has the art of making things even more difficult. There had already been a pre-match marked by psychodrama around the replacement of Stéphane Ruffier in goals . But while the Greens were moving towards a precious success against Reims in the maintenance race, after four consecutive defeats in Ligue 1, they punished themselves (1-1, 26th day). Head scorer on a center Franck Honorat (73), Denis Bouanga centered instead of timing on the right side, while we played additional time. Small error, big consequence, Yann M'Vila conceded in the continuity of the action a penalty for a minimal clash - but judged very quickly - on Boulaye Dia. Penalty transformed by Rémois and two points lost for Stéphanois (15th). This parity score allows them, of course, to double Metz, but they remain at gunpoint from Dijon and Nîmes, barrage specialist before facing Rennes. Not the best way to approach the derby in Lyon next Sunday.

"In difficult times, maybe things turn against us"

After "an eventful week", this result obviously constitutes "a big disappointment" for Claude Puel: "The penalty? It depends on how we judge. Yann stops, raises his arms, does everything not to make a mistake ... It is all the more damaging, infuriating. We had the ball high, we just had to keep it, but we're not going to go back. ” His players keep the same speech, like Yohan Cabaye. "In difficult periods, maybe things turn against us", regrets the midfielder, when Timothée Kolodziejczak confides that this draw has "a taste of defeat". If the outcome is cruel for ASSE, it comes after the last ten minutes which have seen the team brace itself on its cage, not helped by defensive changes. “Reims sent long balls, direct play, there is no particular problem with that, says his manager. We are fortunate to have this last ball, it's a shame not to have managed it properly. ”

"We don't give up, we will have to fight until the end"

Did the context around the goalkeeper position weigh? "The preparation was special, I try to be present and do what is expected of me, recognizes Jessy Moulin, who thought he would succeed in his third clean sheet in the league this season after those in Nîmes and against Lyon. I was proud to play and happy to be on the field. ” His performance was praised by Claude Puel, who responded to the attacks made by Stéphane Ruffier's agent: “It's a shame for him to surround himself with this. This is his problem, his responsibility. " The disappointment digested, Saint-Etienne will have to get back to work. "We do not give up, we will have to fight until the end," warns Timothée Kolodziejczak. For this, the Greens will build on the positive points noted by their coach: "We were good, consistent, with good intentions and a good frame of mind." “We didn't take a goal in the game, we were pretty solid, supports Jessy Moulin. We took a blow behind the head, but we found some values ​​that we have been missing lately. " "We are not going to bow our heads, but keep working and it will pay off. We will manage to get out of it all together, ”believes Timothée Kolodziejczak.

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