Ten men down for 45 minutes, Les Verts lose out

The context

Second trip in a row for Les Verts! After picking up a point against AJA in Yonne, Eirik Horneland and Les Verts head north to the Stade Pierre-Mauroy to face Rémy Cabella and his LOSC team-mates. Les Dogues, meanwhile, after suffering their first league defeat last weekend since the one at Geoffroy-Guichard at the start of the season, bounced back with a 6-1 thrashing of Feyenoord in the Champions League on Wednesday.

The XI

Benjamin Bouchouari and Louis Mouton returned to the starting XI after serving their automatic one-match suspension against Auxerre last weekend, alongside the solid Pierre Ekwah. Irvin Cardona, who returned to the Les Verts on Tuesday, is delighted to be back in the starting line-up with the Blue-White-Red star. Lining up on the right, the striker completes an attack formed by Zuriko Davitashvili and Lucas Stassin.

👥 Le XI stéphanois pour lancer ce #LOSCASSE ! 👊

Première titularisation d'Irvin Cardona et retour des suspendus au milieu de terrain ! 🔙 pic.twitter.com/IuQhRZm4qz

— AS Saint-Étienne (@ASSEofficiel) February 1, 2025

The game

Zuriko Davitashvili was the first to make an impact. The Georgian international picked up the ball at Cabella's feet and ran into Lille's penalty area. The former Stephanois was fouled and the Green was awarded a penalty, which he converted (Lille 0-1 ASSE, 5th). The home side then took control of the ball and came close to scoring on several occasions. At the other end, following a high clearance from Benjamin Bouchouari, the midfielder stepped up and took his chance from over 20 yards. His shot flew wide (23rd). In response, Cabella forced Gautier Larsonneur to concede a corner. Alexsandro's header went wide (25th). At the end of a superb team effort, Lucas Stassin's stinging cross was met by Louis Mouton in the six-yard box, but unfortunately flew over the goal (29th). A miss that was quickly regretted when David won and converted a penalty for the Nordic side (Lille 1-1 ASSE, 32nd). After another high recovery, Zuriko Davitashvili crossed in front of goal for Lucas Stassin, who tried to take the rebound but was well-muscled (35th).

After the interval, Augustine Boakye replaced Irvin Cardona, while Meunier and Sahraoui came on for Dogues. After being challenged by his midfield, Dylan Batubinsika committed a foul in the last defender's position and was sent off (48th). A tactical reorganization forced Lucas Stassin to give way to Yunis Abdelhamid. Following a brilliant pass from Pierre Ekwah, Zuriko Davitashvili lost his duel with Chevalier (56th). Gautier Larsonneur then saved a fine shot from Meunier (57th). However, he could do nothing when, on the counter-attack, David set him up and passed back to Sahraoui (Lille 2-1 ASSE, 63rd). Lille didn't let up, and André Gomes' shot from the center of the goal forced “Larso” to go down (69th), before Gudmunsson, from a tight angle, struck the crossbar with a powerful shot (Lille 3-1 ASSE, 71st). The elusive Sahraoui rounded off his comeback with a double in two quick touches inside the box (Lille 4-1 ASSE, 78th). The Moroccan international then hit the Les Verts crossbar (90th + 2) before Gautier Larsonneur made two further saves.

Les Verts more than held their own in the first half, but were outnumbered throughout the second, and lost out to a Champions League side.

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Une publication partagée par AS Saint-Étienne (@asseofficiel)

Next

Les Verts welcome Stade Rennais back to the Chaudron on Saturday February 8 at 9:05pm. Book your ticket now on the Official Ticketing Service.