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Decimated and in the hard, Saint-Etienne in full tumble

2020-10-31T10:56:32.081Z


On a series of four defeats in a row in Ligue 1, the Greens must raise their heads this Sunday by welcoming Montpellier on behalf of the 9th day.


Defenseless and harmless, overwhelmed by absences, Saint-Etienne must interrupt his free fall Sunday at the Geoffroy-Guichard stadium (1:00 p.m.) against Montpellier after four straight defeats in Ligue 1 for Claude Puel's team, ten goals conceded and only one registrant.

“Right now, as soon as there is a favorable situation for the opponent, it's a goal.

We must not accept this situation, ”insists the Forézien coach, who wants to remain ambitious despite the plunge.

But for the time being, things are not turning to the advantage of the Greens who have passed through all the states since the start of the season: leaders with three wins and no conceded goals, they are now 13th with only four points ahead. on the barrage, Strasbourg (18th).

“It's not easy to manage but you still have to be present.

I don't know which club could cope as we are currently doing ”

Claude puel

Everything was linked negatively after a week during which the Stéphanois chained three matches, against Strasbourg (2-0), in Marseille (2-0) before giving in at the end in Nantes where they led 2-0 ( 2-2).

Since then, the workforce has frayed in defense with the transfer of Wesley Fofana for 40 million euros to Leicester, the injuries of Mathieu Debuchy or Yvann Maçon who will no longer play for the season.

Gabriel Silva has been unavailable since the summer.

Recruited at the end of the transfer window, Greek central-back Panagiotis Retsos was injured in the groin and will not play on Sunday, just like Peruvian international left-back Miguel Trauco while Harold Moukoudi is positive for Covid-19.

>> READ ALSO: The LFP urges Saint-Etienne to reinstate Ruffier, the club appeals

“It's not easy to manage but you still have to be present.

I do not know which club could face the way we are doing now, ”argues Claude Puel who recovers Timothée Kolodziejczak, after two suspension matches.

He had been excluded from Lens.

“Departures, unavailability, the defensive base which changes after three matches: it's a lot of upheaval.

We have counted up to eight absences in defense since the start of the season.

It is not respectful to say that we played with a defense of Gambardella ", castigates the technician" rather happy with the contribution of young people "and who wants to believe" in the strength of character of the players.

Despite everything we have to undergo, no one lowers their head and everyone does quality training.

But we have to be better at the start of matches.

Missing the start weakens us and gives confidence to the opponent.

And even with this situation, we must be able to obtain results by reproducing in matches what we produce in training. ”

Crucial derby in sight

“You don't have to endure the elements.

It is up to us to move forward, find the solutions and new team balances.

It is more difficult with the chain of negative results but we must find leadership.

This is part of the learning process for this team, ”Puel also emphasizes.

Should the latter put a little more experience in his team?

In front, Wahbi Khazri, reinstated by Claude Puel but excluded from entering Lens, could contribute to the recovery.

Romain Hamouma (33 years old, 3 goals), who has not scored since the second day, or Denis Bouanga (26 years old, 2 goals), silent for five matches and criticized by his coach, must do more, just like the goalkeeper Jessy Moulin, in decline but also less well protected by his defenders in recent meetings.

Under these conditions, playing behind closed doors can allow young Greens to work peacefully.

But beware of a new reaction from the supporters of Saint-Etienne, despite the reconfinement, in order to put the pressure eight days away from a derby which promises to be crucial in Lyon ...

Read also

  • League 1 standings

Source: lefigaro

All sports articles on 2020-10-31

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