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The context

Having picked up four points at home over the last two weekends (3-3 against Brest, then 2-1 against Lyon), Les Verts travel to Alsace this Saturday to take on a European Cup contender. The second-best team in 2025 behind PSG, Liam Rosenior's young Strasbourg side could be one step closer to the Champions League if they win. Les Verts could overtake Le Havre and close the gap on Angers, currently 15th.

The XI

The XI that won the 126th Derby on Sunday has been retained by Eirik Horneland. Anthony Briançon and Yvann Maçon return to the squad and take their places on the substitutes' bench at kick-off.

The game

Les Verts got off to the best possible start at a sold-out Stade de la Meinau. After a high clearance, Aimen Moueffek was launched by Pierre Ekwah. The midfielder crossed back for Irvin Cardona, but the striker was denied by Petrovic in two stages (3rd). At the other end, Moreira made no mistake. Receiving a cross from Emegha, the Strasbourg player sent a missile with the exterior of his foot from the edge of the area (Strasbourg 1-0 ASSE, 7th). A few minutes later, Gautier Larsonneur's left post saved Les Verts from Nanasi's powerful shot after a hook inside the penalty area (16th). From a long ball from Léo Pétrot, Zuriko Davitashvili took advantage of a defensive lapse and then had fun in the Alsatian box, picking off several defenders and firing past Pétrovic from close range for the equaliser (Strasbourg 1-1 ASSE, 19th). Gautier Larsonneur then won his duel with Emegha (29th) and Lemaréchal failed to hit the target after a cross along the length of the goal (31st). Emegha, who was sent clear on the edge of the area, failed to get on the end of his one-on-one with Mickaël Nadé and Gautier Larsonneur (33rd). The home side thought they had regained the lead when Emegha pushed the ball into the net from a corner, but Andrey Santos' push on Aïmen Moueffek invalidated the goal (40th). La volée d'Emegha, véritable poison et encore à la limite du hors-jeu, est stoppée par Gautier Larsonneur (45e + 2). Emegha's poisonous volley from the edge of the area was saved by Gautier Larsonneur (45' + 2).

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Les Verts were back in the game, and they immediately put the ball towards Pétrovic's goal. Irvin Cardona turned the ball onto the crossbar from a corner at his near post (47th). The home side responded but were twice denied by Max‘ Bernauer (50’). Zuriko Davitashvili, playing on the edge of the area, fed Irvin Cardona in front of goal, but he was denied again by Pétrovic (59'). This was not the case for Emegha, who converted his sixth situation from a strong Moreira cross in front of goal (Strasbourg 2-1 ASSE, 63rd). Lucas Stassin was sent wide and then tried his luck with a long-range shot. It went over (72nd), as did those from Zuriko Davitashvili, deflected (87th), and Pierre Ekwah (88th). Bakwa's superb volley from just outside the penalty area was a different story. The ball skimmed the post and rattled the net (Strasbourg 3-1 ASSE, 84th). Despite a dynamic entrance from Ibrahima Wadji and several late efforts, the home side took all three points and Les Verts remained glued to Le Havre.

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Next

A new and undoubtedly even stronger contender for the Champions League will be coming to the Chaudron next weekend: AS Monaco. Ticket sales are already open, and over 30,000 St Etienne fans have already booked their tickets.