AS Saint-Etienne Narrowly Defeats Clermont Foot 1-0 to Reclaim Third Place in Ligue 2

AS Saint-Etienne secured a hard-fought 1-0 home victory against Clermont Foot 63 in their Ligue 2 encounter, allowing them to climb back to third place in the league standings. The match was characterized by a lackluster overall performance from both teams, with few standout moments. The decisive goal came in the 55th minute, scored by Augustine Boakye following an assist from Lucas Stassin. This goal proved enough to secure the win, with AS Saint-Etienne maintaining a clean sheet for the second consecutive match.

Mahmoud Jaber made a notable return from suspension, contributing positively to the team's effort. Despite an uninspiring display on the pitch, coach Eirik Horneland expressed satisfaction with the result, underscoring the importance of the victory in advancing their position. Following this win, AS Saint-Etienne has 34 points, inching closer to Red Star FC, the league leaders.

The victory ended a concerning run for Saint-Etienne, which included two draws and an earlier cup exit, marking a critical moment for the club’s campaign. While performance was subdued, the team capitalized on key opportunities to secure crucial league points, a factor Horneland highlighted as key to the club's ongoing efforts in the competition.