Between the two service firefighters and former Canal + consultants, Pascal Dupraz, who arrived at the bedside of Saint-Etienne on December 14, and Bruno Irles, appointed on January 3 to replace Laurent Batlles in Troyes, it is the second who smiles. Dupraz, who straightened the Greens who were 8 points behind the first non-relegation, displays a revealing pout by removing his cap. He must have hoped for better. Saint-Etienne, who has lost only one of his last seven L1 matches on February 26 at PSG (3-1), is indeed hampered by this draw at Geoffroy-Guichard. The Greens are still 18th and roadblockers. Thanks to this point away, Troyes remains 15th and keeps Saint-Etienne at two points.
What you must remember
Started with a minute of applause in tribute to Jean-Luc Ribar, former midfielder of the Greens from 1983 to 1987 and who died Thursday at the age of 57, the first period quickly turned in favor of Troyes. As a bad omen, defender Falaye Sacko, one of the good surprises of the transfer window, must come out injured (the knee ligaments could be affected) from the 10th minute. Launched by the untenable Xavier Chavalerin, Abdu Conté crosses for Lebo Mothiba who opens the scoring (0-1, 18th).
Loaned by Strasbourg, the South African who remained for several months marred by injuries, scored his second goal with ESTAC. Saint-Etienne then claimed a penalty for a foul on Wahbi Khazri (34th) then Gauthier Gallon, the Troyes goalkeeper, was decisive on a recovery from Ryad Boudebouz (42nd) then a free kick from Khazri (45th + 5 ).
After a still contentious action in the area on a contact Wahbi Khazri – Erik Palmer-Brow (62nd), Saint-Etienne finally gets the penalty the third time. The referee does not hesitate on Palmer-Brown’s fault on Mahdi Camara and Boudebouz equalizes (1-1, 67th). Pascal Dupraz makes offensive changes to snatch victory. But Denis Bouanga’s strike is too crossed (71st). After a very average first period, the Greens found the resources to come back and finished stronger. But Troyes, who had come for a point, was very solid to get it.
Le joueur: Lebo Mothiba
On loan from Strasbourg where he extended until 2023, the South African from Troyes opened the scoring. This is his second goal for ESTAC. Before his exit in the 54th minute, he showed a lot of activity. After his serious injuries and barred by competition in Alsace (Ajorque, Diallo, Gameiro), Mothiba is recovering well with Troyes.
The number: 8
Saint-Etienne won their 8th point after being behind in L1 in 2022. This is the best total of all the teams. Another Dupraz effect?
The reactions
Eliaquim Mangala (Saint-Etienne on Prime Video): “It’s mixed. We wanted to take three points. We had an average first half, we weren’t sharp enough in our passes, we weren’t going forward enough. But when you can’t win, you have to know not to lose. We will continue to fight and we will hold on. »
Oualid El Hajjam (Troyes) : “This remains a very good point in a full stadium that has grown. We were weakened by a virus this week which affected a lot of players. But we showed moral and mental values, and courage. For maintenance, it will serve us. »