Red Star Seek “Supplement of Soul” Ahead of Saint-Étienne Clash
Saint-Étienne, France – As the Ligue 2 season enters its critical phase, Red Star face a daunting test of their promotion credentials this Saturday against a resurgent Saint-Étienne. Red Star coach Grégory Poirier acknowledges his team needs to discover an extra gear as they chase a spot in Ligue 1, admitting they must unearth a “supplement of soul” to overcome their recent struggles and compete with the in-form hosts.
The match, set for 20:00 local time (19:00 UTC) at the Stade Geoffroy-Guichard, pits the fifth-placed Red Star against Saint-Étienne, currently second in the Ligue 2 standings. Saint-Étienne has been on a remarkable run of form, securing four consecutive victories and establishing themselves as serious contenders for automatic promotion. This is the 26th matchday of the 2025-2026 Ligue 2 season.
Recent Form a Concern for Red Star
Poirier addressed his team’s recent dip in form during a press conference Friday, acknowledging the require for improvement. Red Star has struggled to find the back of the net consistently, managing only one win in their last six matches and drawing their most recent contest against Le Mans. “It’s a reality that’s catching up with us, we have to accept it,” Poirier stated. “We are sure we can reverse this trend, we are fired up, but we need to find that supplement of soul.”
The coach also highlighted the need for his recent signings to integrate more fully into the team. “We’re also waiting for our recent recruits to contribute more; they hadn’t played during the first six months,” he explained. With just nine games remaining, Poirier emphasized the importance of treating each match as a final, demanding maximum effort and a focused approach from his players.
Avoiding Complacency Against a Formidable Opponent
Saint-Étienne’s impressive run of results is largely attributed to the impact of manager Philippe Montanier, who took over in February, replacing Eirik Horneland. Poirier recognizes the transformation within the Saint-Étienne squad. “Philippe Montanier has done simple things, has the best players in the league and has put them in the best mental conditions,” he said. “They have much more compactness in the block, defend better, but we also have arguments, we must not have an inferiority complex.”
Poirier believes his team can exploit vulnerabilities, recalling their 2-1 victory over Saint-Étienne in the reverse fixture. However, he acknowledges the need to improve their start to matches. “We need to work on…,” he trailed off, indicating a focus on increasing intensity and pressing from the opening whistle. He noted that their recent match against Le Mans saw a slow start but a stronger second-half performance, despite failing to secure a goal.
The Importance of Clinical Finishing
Poirier pinpointed a lack of clinical finishing as a key factor in their recent struggles. “Football often comes down to offensive efficiency,” he said. “We’re less effective at the moment, but that’s also because we’re scoring less than in the first part of the season. The final touch… it’s football, you have to finish. We can do better in the final moments.”
Despite the challenges, Poirier remains confident in his players’ commitment and believes that continued effort will yield results. He stressed the importance of maintaining a positive mindset and avoiding any sense of intimidation when facing Saint-Étienne. “Each player now needs to put all their energy into it. There is no weariness, because it is a passionate profession, but the candle has necessarily less flame. It is up to us to find that supplement of soul.”
For Red Star, the match represents a significant opportunity to solidify their playoff ambitions and potentially close the gap on the automatic promotion places. A victory would send a strong message to their rivals and boost morale ahead of the final stretch of the season. However, they will need to overcome their recent inconsistencies and rediscover their attacking spark to achieve a positive result against a confident Saint-Étienne side.
The Ligue 2 landscape is becoming increasingly competitive, and every point is crucial. Red Star’s ability to find that elusive “supplement of soul” – that extra level of determination, creativity, and clinical finishing – will be pivotal in determining their fate as they navigate the challenges that lie ahead.
Next Up: Red Star will return to their home stadium next week to face Amiens SC in another crucial Ligue 2 encounter. Kick-off is scheduled for 19:00 local time (18:00 UTC).
