Before the start of the Ligue 2 season, ASSE will face Cagliari on Saturday 2 August at 8:30 pm at the Gigi Riva 2025 Trophy. This event, more than just a friendly match, pays tribute to Gigi Riva, the legend of the football sard, famous for his exploits with the Squadra Azzurra and Cagliari. Saint-Étienne was chosen as a symbolic opponent for this edition, marking an echo of a historic meeting in 1970 where Cagliari had won 3-0 with a double Riva. The evening, which will take place at Unipol Domus, promises a festive atmosphere with animations for all ages, music and live radio interventions, all orchestrated by Filippo Ferraro.

The evening’s programme is full of events, with animations from 6.30 p.m., challenges for the children of the Gigi Riva football school, and varied musical performances. A key moment will be the tribute to Gigi Riva just before the kick-off, by personalities such as Gennaro Gattuso and Gianluigi Buffon. The ASSE will enter the field accompanied by young footballers from Gigi Riva school, in a solemn and symbolic entrance. This game represents the last test before the championship’s recovery against Laval, and offers the team an opportunity to confirm its progress after the previous matches against Paris FC and Servette Geneva.

In the event of a victory, the ASSE will have the honour of winning a unique sculpture, created by the artisan Fernaudo Mussone, especially for this edition of the Gigi Riva Trophy. This highly symbolic game marks the end of the Greens’ summer preparations, and could restore their confidence before the start of the Ligue 2 season. The Eirik Horneland team will thus be able to consolidate the achievements and tackle the championship with serenity, after having corrected the weaknesses identified in previous meetings.