The AS Saint-Étienne approached the Ligue 2 season with a keen awareness of its difficulties in August. Historically, this month has often been a critical period for the team, reporting complicated seasons, even when it starts “average”. The current workforce faces significant uncertainties: late recruits, sensitive files such as Ekwah, Davitashvili and Staasnin, and a team composition still under construction. The start-of-season calendar is particularly demanding, with a trip from the first day to Laval, followed by meetings against Rodez, Bologna (or Ajaccio) and Grenoble. In order to avoid compromising its chances of promotion, the ASSE must obtain a minimum of points on these first days, a task all the more arduous in a highly competitive League 2 where the first matches are essential to laying the foundations for a successful season.

The first game of the season in Laval comes with many absences and uncertainties. Coach Eirik Horneland has to deal with back-up players (Stassin, N-Guessa), injuries (Bouchouaari), packages (Bernauer, Jabier) and indesirous players (Davitashvili, Ekwah). Moreover, Duffus’ contract has not yet been validated, complicating its participation. Despite this difficult situation, three new recruits (Ferreira, Stojković, Annaan) arrived, of which Annaan should be available for the game. The team should run with a reduced composition, but Horneland can count on key players like Larsonneur, experienced goaltender. In defense, Ferreira should be absent, but Stojković and Annaan are available. The interplay will see the presence of Moueffek and Tardieu, while the attack will be led by Bokae, in the absence of Staassin and N-Guessa.

The current situation underscores the urgent need for ASSE to overcome its August curse. The points lost during this period tend to catch up with difficulty afterwards. The team must show strength and rhythm from the beginning of the season to stay in the pace of the climb. Since mercato is still open, the ASSE has one last chance to strengthen its workforce and stabilize its composition. The success of the season will depend on its ability to overcome these initial obstacles and achieve positive results in the first days, despite the challenges and uncertainties surrounding it.