It's just too enraging!

The context

After a difficult weekend that saw Les Verts lose heavily at Marseille last Saturday, Eirik Horneland and his men welcome Angers this Saturday to a Chaudron packed with 30,566 supporters! A match to get Les Verts back on track in their quest for survival.

The XI

Eirik Horneland welcomed back Yvan Maçon and Aimen Moueffek from injury. While the midfielder takes his place on the bench, the right-back returns to the starting eleven. Up front, Irvin Cardona and Djylian N'Guessan will join Lucas Stassin in attacking duties.

👤 Les XI Verts alignés pour cet #ASSESCO ! 👊💚 pic.twitter.com/fXNOyTEgLy

— AS Saint-Étienne (@ASSEofficiel) February 22, 2025

The game

Les Verts put their foot on the ball from the start, but the old demons came out all too quickly. Dylan Batubinsika was guilty of an aggressive comeback and conceded a penalty, which Abdelli converted by catching Gautier Larsonneur off guard (ASSE 0-1 Angers, 7th). Les Verts' reaction, notably from Yvan Maçon (8th), did not worry Fofana too much. A few minutes later, Niane headed in a shot that Gautier Larsonneur managed to keep out with the help of his crossbar. But Abdelli, who had been waiting in ambush, happily won the ball back to score twice (ASSE 0-2 Angers, 17th). From a built-up attack, Irvin Cardona had the chance to shoot with his left foot. His heavy effort was blocked by Fofana (30th). And if ASSE-Angers had a recent whiff of Ligue 2, Irvin Cardona took us back a little further in our memories when, positioned at the front of the goal, he turned away Florian Tardieu's corner to reduce the deficit (ASSE 1-2 Angers, 36th). Special moment! It was the same Irvin Cardona who again took his chance on the edge of the area after a team move. But the keeper made no mistake (44'). In added time, the entire St. Etienne team worked together to put pressure on the Angevin goal. Benjamin Bouchouari took a second ball after a free-kick and fired a missile from the edge of the box against Fofana's crossbar despite being beaten (45' + 2). What a disappointment for Les Verts, who returned to the dressing room a goal behind.

After the break and Zuriko Davitashvili's appearance on the pitch, the visitors had the first real chance of the game. Allevinah got on the end of an excellent cross and, in the last few yards, failed to beat Gautier Larsonneur (47'). With a desire to attack, Léo Pétrot made his way up the pitch to the penalty area before feeding Zuriko Davitashvili. The Georgian laid the ball off to Pierre Ekwah in the box, who struck the post with his left foot to level the scores (ASSE 2-2 Angers, 52nd). In front of Allevinah, ‘Larso’ did not hesitate and won his duel (55th). Léo Pétrot was at the heart of the revolt, again breaking through the Angers defence. But his left-footed shot was parried away by Fofana (72'). The same Fofana was helpless, however, when Irvin Cardona crucified him from point-blank range after a delightful feed from Zuriko (ASSE 3-2 Angers, 74th). Further attacks from Léo Pétrot (80th), Zuriko Davitashvili (85th) and Louis Mouton (87th) failed to extend the lead to two goals. It was a disappointment, however, as Dieng converted yet another penalty in the dying moments to deny Les Verts all three points (ASSE 3-3 Angers, 90' +3).

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Next

Les Verts have shown that they have what it takes. They'll have to show it again next Saturday when they take on OGC Nice, and your support will be a big help!