Thanks to goals from Niels Nkounkou (34th) and Ibrahima Wadji (51st), Saint-Étienne went for a precious success in Nîmes (2-1) Monday evening on behalf of the 24th day of Ligue 2. With this victory acquired against the seventeenth, ASSE now has a four-point lead over the relegation zone fourteen days from the end.
The Greens, deprived of Gaëtan Charbonnier who broke his cruciate ligaments and is forfeited for the rest of the season, as well as the suspended Mathieu Cafaro, however found their captain Anthony Briançon, whose aggressiveness seemed to secure the defense.
The Green players
The two goalkeepers quickly distinguished themselves: the Stéphanois Gautier Larsonneur having to intervene with authority in front of Bénézet (2nd) or push back a shot from Pablo Pagis (11th) for a corner while Lucas Dias, his alter ego from Nîmes, proved to be solid in stopping the attempt of Jean-Philippe Krasso (13th) and winning on the corner that followed (14th).
Faced with a very playful Saint-Etienne team, the Crocodiles defense had to work to contain the opposing attacks (40th, 45th). But the Nîmes goalkeeper, who had delayed the deadline, could not do anything against Nkounkou on the opener. The latter, cleverly launched in the right timing by Krasso, went to adjust Dias with a tight shot at ground level (34th).
Third Rank Achievement
The Stéphanois, moved by their hosts as soon as they returned from the locker room, made the break by Wadji author of a solitary raid after getting rid of two defenders from Nîmes (51st). Malik Tchokounté revived the Crocodiles by taking a corner shot by the twirling Pablo Pagis (69th). This goal galvanized Frédéric Bompard’s troops who believed in their chances and multiplied hot situations in front of Larsonneur’s goal. But the Greens held firm.
Laurent Batlles’ team has a third success in a row which propels them to 15th place (27 points), while their opponent is now in 17th (23pts).