The Saint-Étienne team (ASSE) starts its summer preparation this Saturday, July 5 in Andrézieux with a friendly match against Étoile Carouge, a Swiss D2 team. The staff, led by Eirik Horneland, selected a group of 24 players, including many recruits and young talents, while missing a few executives. This first meeting is an opportunity to test new combinations, integrate newcomers and lay the foundation for the game system envisaged for the coming season. The coach will also be able to assess the potential of young players seeking their place on the team.

The convening group includes a balanced composition in each line: Larsonneur, Maubleu and Delacroix for guarding, Apiaih, Batubinsika, Bernauer, Nadé, Owusu, Traoré, Dodote and Makhloufi in defense, Tardieu, Fomba, Jaber, Mouton, El Jamali, Eymard and Gadegbeku in the middle of the field, and Cardona, Bokae, Old, N-Guessan and Davitashvili in attack. However, the team will face several notable absences. Lucas Staasnin and Aïmen Moueffek are still in recovery due to injuries, while Benjamin Bouchouaari and Igor Milaidinovic are unavailable due to injuries. Kevin Pedro is moved after a knee problem, and Yvann Macoon is put to rest after his participation in the Gold Cup.

This meeting in Andrézieux is therefore an important first step in the preparation of ASSE for the 2025-2026 season, with the ambition to regain the French football elite. The match will allow Horneland to lay the first foundation for the game project and give the team a rhythm. Fans are expected at the Flight Stadium to encourage players in this crucial first step. The team will seek above all to acquire collective benchmarks and to test its organization against a serious opponent, while integrating the new heads and giving young people time to play.