Saint-Étienne (AFP)
Unable to score a goal against La Gantoise, Saint-Etienne conceded a new draw against the Belgian club (0-0), Thursday at the Geoffroy-Guichard stadium in match of the 5th day of the Europa League whose Greens are now now eliminated.
The record of the European campaign club Etienne, which was absolutely to win to continue to hope for a qualification for the round of 32, is a defeat in opening the competition against La Gantoise (3-2) followed by four draws.
ASSE, who has not been in the Europa League since 8 December 2016 in Anderlecht (3-2), but who has not played in the last two seasons, is third in his group lagged behind the German Wolfsburg club (2nd), qualified as La Gantoise (1st), and on whose ground he will play to finish his career on 12 December.
However, Saint-Etienne, despite still many absentees, can feed regrets after his match against the Belgian team they have totally dominated with a very interesting offensive animation, unfortunately penalized by a lack of percussion in the decision area.
Sunday, already, the Greens had conceded a draw on their field in the league of France, against Montpellier (0-0).
This is one of the reasons for the difficulties of the home team Etienne where she has won only twice this season against Lyon and Monaco (1-0).
Coach Claude Puel had created a surprise by securing Loïs Diony as forward center, which had not played since October 6 against the OL.
Disappointing since his arrival in the Forez for ten million euros from Dijon, two and a half years ago, Diony has once again confirmed its shortcomings, especially for this level: he did not convert any opportunities that arise. are presented to him (7, 17, 45 + 1) while a shot from Denis Bouanga touched the crossbar (29).
In the second half, Bouanga, with an attempt passing along the cage of Thomas Kaminski at the reception of a center delivered from the right wing, was again very dangerous (54) while a shot then a recovery from the head of Mahdi Camara have passed little by little (57, 79).
While La Gantoise finished the match at ten after the exclusion of Michael Ngadeu-Ngadjui for a foul of Bouanga who was on the net (76), the entry may be a bit late (79) of Robert Beric in point n did not bring the expected bonus.
Sunday, Saint-Etienne will move to Rennes, another French club eliminated from the Europa League.
© 2019 AFP