In ASSE’s second friendly match against Troyes, Maxime Bernauer reassured the Stéphanois supporters about his physical condition via social media. This announcement comes after a period of growing concern in the defence, exacerbated by N’Guessa’s injury. Although the AS Saint-Étienne won the 1-0 meeting, ensuring a second success in its summer preparation, the event was overshadowed by a new physical alert about Bernauer, who had to leave the field at the beginning of the second half while holding his thigh. This situation, recalling the recent injury of N’Guessa, raised concerns about the fragility of the defensive sector of the team in the upsurge phase.

Fortunately, fears have proved unfounded. Maxime Bernauer himself dispelled the concerns on her X account, claiming that her premature departure was more a precautionary measure than a serious injury. This news, while relief, underscores the importance of caution in the physical management of players, particularly in the context of the reconstruction of the team. Despite this alert, ASSE continues its preparation with two victories in two friendly matches, notably thanks to the goal of Ben Old assisted by Lamine Fomba. The group is about to start an internship in Aix-les-Bains, including two new friendly matches against Servette Geneva and Paris FC, before a prestigious match against Cagliari.

All these events highlight the particular attention paid by the medical staff and the ASSE’s supervision to the physical management of the players. After a season marked by injuries, caution is needed to ensure the team’s availability during the championship’s recovery on August 9 against Laval. The main objective remains to arrive ready, physically and collectively, for the first match of Ligue 2. The Bernauer alert, although benign, reminds us that every detail counts in this crucial preparation phase for the future of the team.