The AS Saint-Étienne presents itself to the Stade Brestois this Sunday in a critical situation, where the possibility of seeing its hopes of maintaining disappear flat. The pressure exerted by the Stéphanois public is likely to be palpable, and coach Eirik Horneland recently held a press conference to address the issues of this crucial meeting. He pointed out that physical improvement, although always an objective, is secondary to the need for more effective management of possession time and game transitions. The example of the game against Lens, with a possession rate of only 40%, illustrated the gap to be filled to align the game of the Greens with their preferred style, favouring dense occupation of the terrain and immediate reactivity in the counterpressing phase.

According to the coach, the key to success lies in increased control of the possession of the ball, considering that the profile of the ASSE players flourishes more in a game based on the fast conservation and recovery of the ball. He also stressed that consistency, not supposed physical weakness, was the main challenge. Although he nuanced the idea of a systematic decline in the second period, he acknowledged that the team’s ability to maintain a high level of play throughout the game was insufficient. The coach pointed to an excessive reaction after a goal was collected, resulting in a loss of collective organization, a lack of discipline and an increased difficulty in reversing the course of the encounters.

Finally, Eirik Horneland insisted that this lack of consistency, which can be observed in all the meetings held this season, transcends the strategies implemented. He affirmed his commitment to remain faithful to the team’s play project, while recognizing that the ability to maintain a constant level of performance over the entire regulatory time is the sine qua non to hope for a favourable turnaround. The challenge is therefore to achieve collective stability and discipline that allow the ASSE to overcome difficult times and fight to the end.