The AS Saint-Étienne is going through a delicate period, its gap with the competing teams increasing before Brest’s reception. Eirik Horneland’s players have not had the win in Geoffroy-Guichard since the beginning of the year, while the Brestois have been supporting the ambition of a European qualification at the end of the season. This match is part of a difficult situation for the Greens, having suffered a defeat at Lens where a penalty missed by Irvin Cardona deprived the team of a potential advantage in the first half. The humiliation suffered in Lorient, with a severe defeat of 6-2 after leading 2-0, underscores the urgency for the team to recover and regain confidence.

Brest, on the other hand, is in a comfortable position in the standings, with a mattress 12 points ahead of the ASSE, separating it from the relegation zone and the dams. The game was marked by a spectacular start, with Franck Honorat, former Stéphanois, opening the score in an unexpected way, exploiting a mistake by Bernardoni. The reaction of the Greens soon came, with a goal from Mahdi Camara, back in the group after a disciplinary suspension, followed by a double on the corner, demonstrating a willingness to reverse the course of the game.

The second period saw the Brestois try to return to the score, but the opportunities were thwarted by decisive interventions by Dutch goaltender Bizot and, later, by an exceptional stop by Paul Bernardoni on a lead by Steve Mounié, thus preserving the Stéphanois victory. This victory, acquired with difficulty, represents a relief for the players and the staff, offering a renewed hope in the fight for maintenance after the recent counter-performances.