The AS Saint-Etienne faced off against the OGC Nice on Saturday, March 1, 2025, at Stade Geoffroy-Guichard, with both sides hoping to achieve their respective goals.
Saint-Etienne, struggling this season and lying 16th on the Ligue 1 leaderboard, entered the match desperate for points to aid their relegation battle. The Greens were still reeling from the humiliation of their earlier meeting with Nice, where they suffered a staggering 8-0 defeat. This recent history added extra weight to the encounter.
After a disappointing 3-3 draw with Angers, ASSE needed to change the momentum. Coach Eirik Horneland was aware of the stakes, acknowledging the need for points to lift his team away from the relegation spots. Each game had become pivotal as they looked toward the tough fixtures against Havre and Montpellier coming up.
Despite their difficult position, the fans, roughly 25,000 strong, packed the stands, hoping their team would rise to the challenge. The game kicked off at 5 PM, and tensions were palpable as the crowd anticipated revenge for their earlier disappointment.
On the other side, Nice came to the match with strong form, sitting third and pressing for the Champions League spots. Coming off three successive league victories, they had their eyes set firmly on extending their unbeaten run.
Early on, it became clear Nice's intent. Rosario put them on the board first with a header from close range just ten minutes after the kickoff. The stakes became ever higher for ASSE, as they worked to shake off their nerves and find their footing.
Ten minutes later, the home side found their equalizer. Thanks to decisive play from Lucas Stassin, who took advantage of poor alignment from the Nice defense, ASSE managed to pull the score back to 1-1, infusing renewed hope among the supporters. Stassin's goal came from smart buildup play within the penalty area, showcasing what the team was capable of when pressing forward aggressively.
Halftime saw both teams locked at 1-1. ASSE had controlled much of the possession, but their inability to capitalize on their chances raised concern. Nice, known for their counter-attacking prowess, had shown moments of danger but seemed to struggle to maintain the aggressive form expected of them.
The second half began with ASSE eager to take the lead, yet it was Nice who quickly regained their composure. Just seven minutes after the interval, Nadé inadvertently directed the ball past his own goalkeeper, giving Nice the lead once again.
Guessand then secured Nice's third goal with clinical precision, effectively sealing the match at 3-1 by the 70th minute. Following some excellent interplay between Nice's attackers, Guessand was left with space, and his well-placed shot left the Saint-Etienne defense exposed and disheartened.
Frustrations for the home team grew as they struggled to find their footing once again. With seven matches without victory now hanging over them, ASSE faced criticism for what was viewed as weak gameplay and lack of urgency, particularly when at home.
Florian Tardieu, reflecting on the encounter, articulated concerns over the club's performance: "Of course we're worried. If we aren't concerned now, then we never will be. We are united, and we won't give up until the last second of this season. But losing points like this at home is frustrating. We need to intimidate the opposition and show our strength, yet we seem to be making it easy for them instead.”
The night ended with the scoreboard reading AS Saint-Etienne 1, OGC Nice 3. While the Aiglons celebrated yet another victory on their quest for top-tier qualification, the pressure of relegation loomed heavier over the Greens. The defeat marked their fifteenth of the campaign, and fans left the stadium concerned for their team's survival hopes.
Saint-Etienne's upcoming fixtures against direct relegation rivals are set to be their most important matches yet, as they aim to distance themselves from the relegation zone. With their season hanging by a thread, the pressure to perform can only increase. Will they find the resilience to bounce back? Only time will tell, and the fans await any sign of hope from their side.