Muhammad Awwal AbubakarEirik Horneland might consider some returns for AS Saint-Étienne’s (ASSE) match against OGC Nice on Saturday at 5 PM. However, the coach is also set to receive another piece of good news.
ASSE has no time to waste. A week after their frustrating 3-3 draw against SCO Angers, the Greens will face a red-hot OGC Nice team on Matchday 24 of Ligue 1 (Saturday, 5 PM).
While Horneland’s upcoming press conference may provide updates on ASSE’s injury situation, Evect has already announced another exciting development: a large crowd is expected at the Geoffroy-Guichard Stadium.
Once again, attendance is expected to exceed 30,000 spectators at “Le Chaudron” (The Cauldron). As of yesterday, over 27,000 tickets had already been sold.
Fans, who played a crucial role in ASSE’s comeback against Angers (from 0-2 to 3-2 before the final 3-3 scoreline), are eager to avenge the humiliating 8-0 loss to Nice in the first leg at the Allianz Riviera.
However, the Stéphanois pro-football website clarifies that the attendance record for the season—set during the match against RC Lens (36,832 spectators)—is unlikely to be broken this Saturday.
The game against OGC Nice could still rank among the best-attended matches of the season, comparable to fixtures against Rennes (30,385), Angers (30,566), or Auxerre (31,455), depending on ticket sales in the final days.
For the eighth time this season, ASSE is expected to surpass 30,000 spectators. This is remarkable considering the team’s struggles.
The Greens are currently on a seven-game winless streak in Ligue 1 but can always count on their “12th man.” Attendance figures could have been even higher if not for Ligue 1 sanctions that have frequently closed fan sections this season.
A powerhouse of French football for over 50 years, AS Saint-Étienne has one of the most loyal fan bases in the country—and one of the loudest.
Their support is more crucial than ever in a season that was supposed to mark a revival but has instead been full of disappointments. The club’s new owner, Kilmer Sports, completely botched the summer transfer window.
Coaches Olivier Dall’Oglio (until December) and Eirik Horneland (since January) have had to manage a highly unbalanced squad, featuring too many inexperienced players for Ligue 1. The team might have crumbled last Saturday when they trailed 2-0 against Angers if not for the passionate home crowd.
However, even ASSE’s incredible fan support has its limits. Saturday’s match against Nice could mark a turning point.
If things go as badly as in the first leg—when the Greens were completely outclassed—fans might begin losing faith or, worse, turning against their own team.
The rivalry between the ultras of both clubs has grown intense over the years, leading to serious crowd trouble at the Allianz Riviera in the past.
Last weekend, ASSE managed to fight back because Angers has defensive weaknesses. But Nice, currently 3rd in Ligue 1, is a completely different challenge.
The spaces ASSE left open against Angers could be exploited even more ruthlessly by Nice.
This weekend’s clash could define ASSE’s season. A good result could spark optimism about their chances of staying in Ligue 1.
But if the team collapses—as they did against OM (0-2), Lille (1-4), or Marseille (1-5)—it could trigger serious backlash from the stands and further destabilize an already fragile squad.
That’s why Horneland and his players must view this match as a crucial turning point before the final sprint of the season.
A draw, or even better, a victory, would ignite the stadium and boost morale. But a heavy defeat, while expected based on the league standings, could create a serious rift between ASSE and its supporters.
Muhammad Awwal Abubakar
Muhammad Awwal Abubakar
