Saint-Étienne heads to Nice this Friday night for the second leg of the Ligue 1 playoffs. After a 0-0 draw in the first leg, the Greens must secure a victory on the French Riviera to earn their promotion to Ligue 1.
The team faces a must-win scenario, with Philippe Montanier set to make key decisions ahead of this decisive clash. Here’s the likely starting XI for this season’s final match.
Injury updates and lineup decisions
The Saint-Étienne infirmary remains busy ahead of this high-stakes trip. Mahmoud Jaber, Paul Eymard, and Chico Lamba have been ruled out for the season, ending their Green career for now. Nadir El Jamali continues his recovery from a knee injury and remains unavailable, while Djylian N’Guessan is also sidelined for this match.
On a positive note, Florian Tardieu is nearing a return after nearly three months on the sidelines. The midfielder, playing under contract extension talks, could make his final appearance for the club this Friday. Meanwhile, Ben Old is back in the squad after missing the first leg, though his availability may be short-lived as he prepares for international duty with New Zealand.
Defensive reshuffle expected
Gautier Larsonneur delivered another clean sheet against Nice, and the goalkeeper will hope to replicate that form in Nice. The defense has been solid, but Elye Wahi’s return from suspension adds a new threat for Saint-Étienne to contend with. Philippe Montanier is likely to stick with the Le Cardinal-Bernauer defensive pairing.
Uncertainty surrounds the full-back positions. Ben Old’s fitness is in question after his injury, while Dennis Appiah’s muscular discomfort could force a reshuffle. João Ferreira may again feature, with Kevin Pédro sliding into a new role if needed.
Midfield dynamics and attacking threats
Luan Gadegbeku and Abdoulaye Kanté are expected to retain their places, forming a familiar midfield partnership. Augustine Boakye returns from suspension and will likely take up the playmaker role before joining Ghana’s national team.
The attack remains the biggest challenge. Irvin Cardona, once a reliable scorer, has struggled for form and confidence. Zuriko Davitashvili, despite his potential, has lacked spontaneity in recent outings. Lucas Stassin, deployed as the lone striker, must provide the cutting edge needed to break down Nice’s defense.
This match is a do-or-die moment for Saint-Étienne. With a single goal needed to secure promotion, Montanier’s lineup choices will be under intense scrutiny as the Greens aim for Ligue 1 glory.