The AS Saint-Étienne suffered a furious defeat against the Paris FC in friendly (3-0), revealing serious shortcomings in its strength, especially in the back. Side posts are identified as priorities for reinforcements, despite several unsuccessful leads, including Tony Strata. This situation raises concerns as the League 2 championship recovery approaches, with a clear lack of intensity, marking and ability to respond to adverse aggressiveness. The prolonged absence of Lucas Stassin, who was expected to attack as an offensive leader, further worsens this situation, limiting the options of coach Eirik Horneland and making the attack predictable and ineffective.

The defeat against Paris FC highlighted a lack of commitment and quality in the duels, despite some encouraging individual signs such as Joshua Duffuss. The team lacked combativeness and skill, which translates into a difficulty in realizing offensive opportunities. The Stéphanois staff is aware of these weaknesses and has two weeks to correct them before the trip to Laval, a formidable team on the stopped kicks. This meeting is seen as a serious warning, a blow from a club that could paradoxically stimulate the team to redouble its efforts.

The offensive situation of ASSE remains worrying, with a huge construction site to be opened before the season. The absence of Stassin, combined with a lack of cohesion and combinations, jeopardizes the team’s ambition to climb. The club has targeted several profiles to reinforce its attack, but the Strata track seems compromised and other files, such as Giorgi Gocholeishvili’s, face financial difficulties. The ASSE will have to show a different face from the first day of the championship to hope for a positive result and prove that it is able to overcome its weaknesses.