Paris (AFP)
AS Saint-Etienne held their rank on Saturday by eliminating Paris FC (Ligue 2) with difficulty after being led twice, qualifying for the knockout stages of the Coupe de France, a first since the 2015 season -2016.
In a negative spiral in Ligue 1, Claude Puel's men, supported by a hundred ultras in a half-empty Charléty stadium, did not facilitate their task and had to wait for a goal from Debuchy on a corner in the 78th for Take (the) advantage.
Helped well by a concentrated Stéphane Ruffier, author of a decisive parade at the start of the game, and by a penalty not whistled, Debuchy hooking Jérémy Ménez in the 27th, the Greens found the resources to equalize twice thanks to Kazhri (31st ) and Abi (70th).
Sixteenth defense of Ligue 1 with 31 goals conceded in 20 games, the Greens confirmed their current misform by conceding two goals against against with the achievements of Ménez (23rd) and Pitroipa (54th).
As Saint-Etienne is going through a complicated period in the league, chaining four defeats in a row and pointing to 15th place only 5 points from the first non-relegation.
Claude Puel, appointed coach of the club in early October to replace Ghislain Printant after a complicated start, had nevertheless instilled good momentum with two wins for two draws in four games. The club's last league victory dates back to December 4 against OGC Nice (4-1).
The Greens can count on the return to the injured group William Saliba and Denis Bouanga, the club's top scorer with 7 goals in 18 games.
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