AS Saint-Étienne (ASSE) faced Olympique de Marseille (OM) on December 22, 2024, at the Geoffroy-Guichard stadium for the Round of 32 of the Coupe de France. This match was particularly significant as ASSE struggled with internal changes, including the recent dismissal of coach Olivier Dall’Oglio and their search for stability under interim coach Laurent Huard. Conversely, Marseille, under the leadership of Roberto De Zerbi, aimed to assert dominance, having recently defeated the Greens 2-0 just weeks before.
The stakes were high for ASSE, with the club desperate to rise from its disappointing form in Ligue 1. Ivan Gazidis, president of ASSE, shed light on the turmoil, stating, "Every time we change a coach, it’s difficult and means there has been a failure but it’s collective," which underscored the challenges the club faces. Gazidis expressed confidence as the club sought to install Eirik Horneland as their head coach, reinforcing the belief needed to rebuild the team's future. He emphasized, "We must stay in Ligue 1. It’s urgent. But we have to build the foundations to have success in two, three, five years. AS Saint-Etienne must return among the best French teams. And of course, this doesn’t happen in six months."
Meanwhile, Olympique de Marseille arrived with different motivations, aiming to capture the Coupe de France title they hadn’t secured since 1989. Coach De Zerbi outlined the club's commitment to the competition, explaining, "We care a lot about the Coupe de France. We know OM have not won it since 1989. There is no difference between the Cup and the championship." With confidence, OM entered the match after establishing clear dominance over ASSE earlier this month.
Fans packed the Geoffroy-Guichard stadium, aware of the potential upset this fixture traditionally brings. The air was thick with anticipation as AS Saint-Étienne prepared to tackle their famous opponents. The stakes were raised, as cup matches often yield unpredictable outcomes.
From the opening whistle, it was clear Olympique de Marseille intended to control the match. Just 22 minutes in, they capitalized on ASSE's deficiencies when Mason Greenwood put the Phocaeans on the scoreboard with a stunning volley, assisted by Luis Henrique. This marked the beginning of ASSE's struggles, who found themselves increasingly pressured by Marseille's tactical superiority.
Marseille’s dominance continued as Adrien Rabiot doubled the lead shortly after, netting from close range following another assist from Henrique, who had quickly emerged as the game's key player. Down 2-0 with only 34 minutes played, AS Saint-Étienne faced overwhelming odds against the well-oiled Marseille squad. They showed signs of surrender under the relentless pressure, failing to muster any significant response at home.
The situation worsened for ASSE just before halftime when forward Neal Maupay received his marching orders following a reckless tackle on Leonardo Balerdi, leaving them down to ten men. This dismissed presence magnified their troubles, allowing Marseille to assert even greater control of the match.
The second half offered no respite as the tale of woe for AS Saint-Étienne continued. It was evident the Greens lacked both the tactical organization and urgency required to claw back the match. Luis Henrique added the third goal for Marseille with another exceptional volley, catching the ASSE defense off guard once again. With the game rapidly slipping away, fans of the home side looked on, hoping for any glimmer of resilience.
Despite some attempts from ASSE to regain footing, much of the final spell of the match was spent with Marseille cementing their might. Pierre-Emile Højbjerg capped off the rout with the fourth goal, showcasing the Phocaeans' talent across the pitch. The numerical advantage and skill disparity were evident, leading to ASSE’s almost resigned state as the match reached its conclusion.
The game ended 4-0, mirroring the earlier league fixture against the same opposition, reinforcing Marseille's place as leading contenders not just for Ligue 1 but also the Coupe de France. AS Saint-Étienne's woes compounded with yet another disappointing outing, fueling concern over its prospects heading onward with interim management.
With this victory, Olympique de Marseille not only progresses to the next round but also sends a clear message. While AS Saint-Étienne faces the difficult task of regrouping under new leadership, it remains to be seen how quickly they can recover and start living up to their storied past.
