Good exit from Bernardoni
The goalkeeper of the Greens dive well in front of Kalimuendo, very close to taking a cross just in front of the goal. Great first for the former Angevin.
Still disputed
The battle for possession still hangs in midfield as both teams press high and score no time-outs.
Lens reacts immediately
But Fofana, found in the area, is countered on his attempt to strike. The Greens will have to remain vigilant.
BOUDEBOUZ GOOOOO!!
On a backlash, Aouchiche is served by Thioub on the left and sends a good cross into the area. The ball flies to the far post and Boudebouz, who concludes with a flat foot! Note Leca’s hand fault on the spot.
Leca disgusts Camara!
Free kick played quickly by Boudebouz who serves Camara in the box. The midfielder of the Greens turns and strikes in first intention, but Leca diverts from a superb stop as the ball headed for the goal!
Greens less sharp
Racing seems to have regained control of the match for a few minutes, as the Stéphanois are so rare in the Lensois camp. Heading into the break, the parity scoreline makes sense for now.
Bernardoni very solid
Lens is dangerous on a new high recovery. On the right side of the surface, he arms a powerful shot, repelled by an ever vigilant Bernardoni.
First card for Gradit
The Lensois defender is cautioned for a foul on Aouchiche. A sanction due to a repetition of faults, indicates the referee.
Lens does not benefit
The visitors recover the ball quite high but lack accuracy in the transmission to follow up. Both teams are very offensive and sometimes leave big spaces.
Camara can’t find the frame
Deliciously served by an inspiration from Boudebouz, Camara tries his luck about twenty meters from goal. It goes slightly over Leca’s goal.
Bernardoni vigilant
The new Stéphanois goalkeeper is very close to being lobbed on this deep free kick from Clauss who took the direction of the skylight, but makes a nice tap. The next corner does nothing.
Pace but no opportunities
Despite the good intentions of both teams going forward, opportunities have been scarce since kick-off. The game takes place mainly in the middle of the field.
Boudebouz does too much
Despite a good serve on the right side, Boudebouz dithers, does not cross and ends up attempting an impossible dribble. The ball is immediately recovered by Lens.
Always discreet lens
The Sang et Or approach Bernardoni’s goal over the minutes, but still without being really dangerous. We expect more chances in this game.
The Stéphanois at ease on a corner
Saint-Etienne is the most effective team from corners this season in Ligue 1, with 6 goals scored. The Greens are also the only ones to have scored more than half of their goals from set pieces (10/17).
Clauss escapes the box
Clauss hangs on Boudebouz in the midfield, who was going on the counterattack. He only gets a verbal warning.
Saint-Etienne threatening from a corner
Interesting new opportunity for the Greens. The Lensoise defense manages to break free on the wire on a dangerous corner taken by Nadé with a header.
The Blood and Gold are not found
Apart from Saïd’s strike, the Lensois failed to worry the defense of the Greens. Visitors hardly leave their camp anymore.
The Greens insist
New high recovery from Stéphanois thanks to very good pressing. The Sang et Or still seem surprised by this very voluntary start from their opponents.
Leca saves Lens
Superb tumble from Maçon to the right, with a small bridge on the way. The piston then tries his luck against Leca at a tight angle. The Lensois goalkeeper pushes back from the face to save his team!
The good intentions of the Greens
Like Boudebouz, ASSE started the match in a rather restless way, but the danger quickly arrived on the counterattack.
Said’s strike!
Shifted to the left, Saïd progresses with the ball at his feet and tries his luck at the entrance to the penalty area on a quick transition. His powerful shot goes over Bernardoni’s goal.
Bakayoko solicited
The very young Stéphanois commits a foul on Saïd in the midfield during his first minutes of play with the professionals.
Kakuta alerte Bernardoni
First shot of this match after 20 seconds of play. Kakuta’s long attempt goes to the right of the Saint-Etienne goal.
Let’s go between Saint-Etienne and Lens!
The kick-off is given by the Greens in front of 5,000 supporters, good game to all!
Lens can no longer do it outside
The Sang et Or remain on 6 games without a win away in Ligue 1 (5 losses, 1 draw), their worst series since their comeback last season. Lens has also won only one of its last 7 league games (3 draws, 3 losses), the last against Rennes (1-0).
A slightly favorable history for ASSE
The two teams will meet for the 100th time in the league. The Greens have 40 wins, against 35 for the Lensois and 24 draws. But Saint-Etienne has won only one of its last 4 receptions from Racing (1 draw, 2 losses).
Lens made in the classic
Miraculous scorer against Rennes last Saturday (1-0), Saïd will know his fifth tenure of the season only. It is preferred over Sotoca or Pereira Da Costa. No major surprise in Franck Haise’s eleven.
A three-way defense for the Greens
Another novelty in the eleven of AS Saint-Etienne: the team will evolve with a defense at 3 and not at 4 as often since the beginning of the season. The novice Bakayoko will be supported by Nadé and Kolodziejczak. Mason and Silva will officiate as pistons.
Major firsts in Saint-Etienne
Both on loan from Angers, Bernardoni and Thioub are making their debut with the Greens this afternoon. Also note the first appearance of young Bakayoko (19) in central defense.
The eleven from Saint-Etienne
Bernardoni – Nadé, Bakayoko, Kolodziejczak – Mason, Camara, Youssouf, Silva – Thioub, Boudebouz, Aouchiche
Replacements:
Bajic, Ghezali, Gourna, Diousse, Mouton, Lhery, Krasso, Rivera, Dieye
The composition of Lens
Leca – Gradit, Danso, Medina – Clauss, Doucouré, Fofana, Frankowski – Kakuta, Kalimuendo, Said
Replacements:
Farinez, Wooh, Pereira, Berg, Cahuzac, Pereira Da Costa, Sotoca, Jean, Baldé
“The ball is in your feet to save you”
Several dozen members of the Magic Fans, a group of supporters of the Greens, are present in front of Geoffroy-Guichard in the face of the urgency of results in which ASSE is immersed.
The Greens have no choice
Last in Ligue 1 with 4 lengths behind Lorient, play-off, the Stéphanois are in the midst of a sporting crisis since they remain on 5 defeats in the championship. They have not played since January 2 and the victory over Jura Sud in the round of 16 of the Coupe de France (4-1).
Fourth place in sight for Lens
While waiting for the matches of Rennes (4th) and Montpellier (5th), the Sang et Or (6th) have the opportunity to return temporarily to the foot of the podium in the event of victory. They remain on a snatch success against the Red and Black (1-0).
ASSE very weakened
Pascal Dupraz will be deprived of many elements for this meeting: Nordin, Green, Gnagnon, Hamouma (injured), Sissoko, Trauco, Sako (ill), Moukoudi, Sow, Neyou, Bouanga and Khazri (CAN).
For its part, Lens is complete, with the exception of Machado (injured), Haïdara and Ganago (CAN).
Hello everyone
Welcome to RMC Sport to follow live the meeting between AS Saint-Etienne, bottom of the championship, and RC Lens, still in the fight for Europe. This 100th face to face between the two teams in Ligue 1 will start at 5 p.m.
