Two years after its relegation, AS Saint-Etienne, 3rd in Ligue 2, took a small option for accession to the elite after its narrow victory (2-1) acquired at the expense of FC Metz, Thursday at the Geoffroy stadium. Guichard in the first leg of the play-offs. This result nevertheless preserves the chances of Messins, 16th in L1, to maintain their position.
However, they will have to show much more on Sunday when they return to their home field to win by two goals after having not won since April 21 in Le Havre (1-0). Their away goal does not count double in the event of a tie.
Good momentum for ASSE
Even if it gave in at the end of the regular season (two draws, one defeat) letting second place slip away for the direct accession which held out its arms to it, ASSE still remains on a good dynamic, particularly on its home ground where it remained on seven victories and a draw in Ligue 2 to which is now added this success over Metz. It remains for the Foréziens to validate this short success away in a Saint-Symphorien stadium which was announced to be sold out.
Ibrahim Sissoko logically opened the scoring for the Greens who dominated the start of the match by beating Sadibou Sané on a pass from Mathieu Cafaro to deceive Alexandre Oukidja (20th). Metz equalized just before half-time through veteran (37) Ismaël Traoré who headed a corner from Lamine Camara ahead of Dylan Batusbinsika (45).
Determinant Cardona
At the end of the game, while ASSE largely dominated a very unenterprising Lorraine team, Irvin Cardona headed a cross from Cafaro, again him, on which Oukidja completely missed his exit (81st). Cardona was a decisive element in the Greens’ rise to the Ligue 2 standings in the spring. He has been involved in thirteen goals with Saint-Etienne since February (10 goals, 3 assists).
During a lively but low-level meeting between two limited teams, the Stéphanois, victorious over Rodez in the L2 play-off (2-0), on May 23, once again deserve their success. With obvious good will compensating for major technical shortcomings, they tried to put on entry pressure. In addition to Sissoko’s goal, in front of which he also intervened shortly after (25th), Oukidja also repelled a shot from Florian Tardieu (8th) before Kevin N’Doram caught Dylan Chambost (39th) at the last minute. After half-time, Yvan Maçon was threatening (52) as was Cardona from a corner (63).
For its part, FC Metz was very shy with only one opportunity from Georges Mikautadze whose attempt narrowly missed (15th). And apart from Traoré’s goal, only one shot from Camara went past the post in the second half (54th).