“
After this derby without pride, move to save us
”.
The hour is more and more serious in Saint-Etienne and the supporters do not fail to remind it.
Deployed this Tuesday, four days after the defeat in Lyon at the end of a derby without relief (1-0), the banner hung at the training center of the Greens aims to challenge the players on the eve of a trip already crucial in Angers this Wednesday (7 p.m.), in a late match for the 20th day.
Even if in view of the sporting situation of ASSE, red lantern of Ligue 1 since the 7th day, all the matches are, finally.
To discover
Calendar and results Ligue 1
League 1 standings
“
All matches are pivotal
, confirms Pascal Dupraz, who spoke to journalists on Tuesday at the State.
But this one is even more so because the hinges have been shattered in the last three.
It's the most important match we've ever had to play and everyone will have to show the best version of themselves, but all together.
“For this trip to Anjou, the Haute-Savoie technician will be able to count in particular on the return of Riyad Boudebouz, absent in Lyon, and on the recruits Sada Thioub and Paul Bernardoni, on loan from Angers but therefore authorized to face their club.
Read also“Move to save us”: angry Stéphane supporters
Launch (finally) the machine
Decisive in Lyon, the 24-year-old goalkeeper, who has become persona non grata since the arrival of coach Gérald Baticle in Anjou as revealed by
L'Est Eclair
, could not however avoid the defeat of his people in a 124th derby without flavor (1-0). Above all, the former Troyes and Bordeaux goalkeeper could not prevent a third setback in Ligue 1 for Dupraz, who is still chasing after his first victory with the Greens in the top flight. “
It is important to do the counter,
agrees the Haut-Savoyard.
I've said it three times, and I hope this fourth will be the right one. We absolutely have to keep the clock ticking
.”
A first success would above all make it possible to capitalize on this late match: “
1 or 3 points will be points taken back from everyone
.”
And the maintenance mission specialist ensures that his players understand the urgency of the situation.
“
I feel that the situation worries them.
It bothers them.
They are aware that the club is not in its place
, ”said the man who imposed monthly individual interviews on his flock.
Attack down, Beric back soon?
But this quest for a first victory will go through a great performance on the rarely hospitable lawn of the SCO, which found the path to success this Sunday against Troyes (2-1).
And if the problems of the workforce are currently exacerbated at all levels, especially in defense (rookies Eliaquim Mangala and Joris Gnagnon are still too fair), it is the presence of ASSE in the opposing area that raises questions.
With a small goal scored in two months (against Lens, 1-2), the Greens can hardly claim better.
And faced with the ninth defense of the championship (28 goals conceded), the Dupraz band will have to rely on the creativity of Boudebouz (back after a Covid-19 infection), Adil Aouchiche or rookie Bakary Sako.
Denis Bouanga, dismissed by the Gabonese selection, is also back, while Jean-Philippe Krasso, the club's only professional centre-forward, has been posted by the new coach and is heading for a new loan.
Robert Beric, an old known head of the Cauldron soon to be back?
Panoramic
In the absence of captain Wahbi Khazri, qualified for the quarter-finals of the CAN with Tunisia, it is therefore training winger Arnaud Nordin who occupies the forefront of the attack awaiting possible reinforcements.
A reinforcement that could be a former home in the person of Robert Beric, author of 26 goals in 81 L1 matches in Forez (2015-2020).
At the end of his contract with the Chicago Fire (19 goals in 53 matches), where he had been transferred by Saint-Etienne, the 30-year-old Slovenian international (25 caps, 2 goals), would be close to a return as revealed
The Team
.
For his part, Dupraz neither confirmed nor denied this lead on Tuesday:
Beric?
I don't read the press so you teach me a lot of things.
There are people here who have proven responsibilities and who know him much better than I do.
(…) The idea of strengthening us whether it comes from the recruitment unit, from my leaders or from me, it doesn't matter.
The objective is that we are convinced that the chosen profile is the right one.
We stumble on certain positions.
And on far too many teams so far.