Following a goalless draw in the first leg, AS Saint-Étienne heads to Nice on Friday night with one clear objective: secure victory and clinch promotion to Ligue 1. Philippe Montanier’s team will need to perform at their best against an OGC Nice side fighting for survival.
Injury setbacks and key absences
AS Saint-Étienne arrives in Nice with a depleted squad. Mahmoud Jaber, Paul Eymard, and Chico Lamba are sidelined and will not feature in the decisive second leg. Nadir El Jamali, still recovering from a knee injury, remains unfit for selection, while Djylian N’Guessan is also ruled out after missing the first match.
The Green’s midfield will be boosted by Florian Tardieu, who is back after nearly three months out. The playmaker, playing his final games for the club before a potential summer departure, could make his last appearance for Saint-Étienne on Friday.
Ben Old’s return to the squad is a major positive. The New Zealander, absent in the first leg, is now available and may feature in the starting lineup before heading to international duty for the World Cup.
A defensive reshuffle on the cards
Gautier Larsonneur delivered another clean sheet against Nice, and the goalkeeper will be aiming for another flawless performance in the second leg. The Saint-Étienne defense remains solid, but OGC Nice will have Elye Wahi back in action after suspension—a threat that Montanier’s side must contain.
The defensive lineup could see changes. Ben Old’s return raises questions about the full-back positions. Dennis Appiah, who filled in last time, suffered a muscular issue, leading to Joao Ferreira’s introduction. If Ben Old starts, Kevin Pédro is expected to take the right-back role with Old slotting in at left-back.
The midfield engine room
Luan Gadegbeku and Abdoulaye Kanté, who impressed in the first leg, are set to start again, forming their fourth consecutive partnership. Augustine Boakye, back from suspension, will likely play as the team’s playmaker before joining the Ghanaian national team.
Attacking concerns and potential solutions
Saint-Étienne’s attack has struggled for goals in recent weeks, with Irvin Cardona—once a reliable striker—facing confidence issues. He is expected to start on the right wing, with Zuriko Davitashvili and Lucas Stassin providing additional firepower on the left and up front, respectively.
The Green’s attack must rediscover their cutting edge if they are to overcome Nice and secure promotion. This match is their final chance to make their Ligue 1 ambitions a reality.