Recap: Saint-Étienne’s Two Second Half Goals Secure Win

Les Verts entered this contest having lost to RC Lens and Angers SCO while the visitors had been on an impressive run having only lost one match in their five games entering the matchup against the home side.

In the first half, both sides recorded five total shots resulting in a scoreless result as the two teams went into halftime. The final 45 minutes proved to be the most thrilling with Saint-Étienne breaking the scoreless deadlock early in the second half.

Mickael Nade gave Saint-Étienne the advantage with a goal in the 51st minute and then Ibrahim Sissoko added the insurance goal in the 78th minute to secure the three points.

After the loss, Strasbourg manager Liam Rosenior credited ASSE with their game plan, which frustrated his squad and serves as a learning experience for when they encounter this strategy again.

"It’s the first time we’ve encountered a real low block like this. We have to give credit to Saint-Étienne. They took advantage of their opportunities, well done to them."

"The fact of playing against low blocks like tonight shows that we have also gained respect based on what we've shown at the start of this season. It's up to us to adapt as much as possible to be more effective."

The victory allows Saint-Étienne to temporarily leave the relegation spots as Olivier Dall'Oglio and his team are now in 15th place. Saint-Étienne can stay there depending on what Toulouse FC does in their contest against Stade de Reims on Sunday.

As for Strasbourg, losing is rare, considering that since the start of September, their only defeat before Saturday was on October 19th, in the 4-2 loss to Paris Saint-Germain.

The Stat: Home Sweet Home for Saint-Étienne

ASSE have won three of their last four matches at Stade Geoffroy-Guichard in Ligue 1, with just one defeat. This matches the total number of victories they had in their previous 13 home matches in France's top flight, which included two draws and eight defeats.

Les Verts will look to carry their home momentum when they travel to face Olympique Lyonnais in the latest installment of the Derby Rhône-Alpes.

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