Saint-Étienne’s resurgence under Philippe Montanier continued Saturday with a 2-0 victory over Red Star at a packed Geoffroy-Guichard stadium (36,500 in attendance, including 350 Red Star supporters). The win marks a fifth consecutive triumph for Les Verts, propelling them closer to a potential return to Ligue 1, while simultaneously dealing a significant blow to Red Star’s playoff aspirations.
The turnaround in Saint-Étienne has been remarkable since Montanier took the helm, a stark contrast to the struggles experienced under former manager Eirik Horneland. While Horneland’s tenure was marked by attempts at innovative tactics, the club has found stability and success with Montanier’s more experienced approach.
Saint-Étienne Finds the Net in the Second Half
After a tightly contested first half, Saint-Étienne broke the deadlock in the 67th minute through Kevin Pedro, who finished a well-placed pass from Davitashvili. The goal ignited the home crowd and effectively shifted the momentum in favor of the hosts. Lucas Stassin then sealed the victory in the 80th minute, capitalizing on a defensive mix-up between Pierre Lemonnier and Dylan Durivaux to extend Saint-Étienne’s lead to 2-0.
The result leaves Saint-Étienne eight points behind league leaders Troyes and ten points behind second-place side, further solidifying their position in the promotion race. For Red Star, the defeat represents a setback in their pursuit of a playoff spot, and effectively ends any realistic hopes of automatic promotion to Ligue 1.
Red Star’s Playoff Chances Hang in the Balance
Despite the loss, Red Star coach Grégory Poirier remained optimistic about his team’s chances of securing a playoff berth. “We can still do better when we glance at the situations we need to exploit in the first half,” Poirier told BeIN Sports. “These situations that turn into clear chances, that’s what makes the difference against a great team. We paid for two errors.”
Red Star’s recent form has been inconsistent, with only one win in their last seven matches (1 win, 3 draws, 3 losses). They currently sit just three points ahead of Le Mans, who occupy the first spot outside the playoff places, but are now facing increased pressure from teams below them, including Rodez and Montpellier, who are within two points.
Poirier acknowledged the challenge ahead, stating, “All the matches in Ligue 2 are tight, but it’s the efficiency in the final third that makes the difference. But I have no regrets about the effort, and commitment. Collectively, we did what we needed to do. We were up against a quality team, in solid form, with confidence and quality attackers.”
First-Half Chances Fail to Translate into Goals
The first half was a lively affair, with both teams demonstrating attacking intent. Saint-Étienne threatened through Pedro, forcing a save from Gaëtan Poussin in the 39th minute. Red Star responded with a curling effort from Damien Durand that narrowly missed the target, also in the 39th minute. Saîf-Eddine Khaoui then had an opportunity to put Red Star ahead, but his lob attempt failed to trouble the Saint-Étienne goalkeeper.
Poirier had made two changes to the starting lineup compared to the previous week’s draw against Le Mans, bringing Khaoui and Pape Meissa Ba into the side in place of Guillaume Trani and Kevin Cabral, hoping to add more attacking impetus. However, the changes weren’t enough to overcome a determined Saint-Étienne side.
Montanier’s Impact on Saint-Étienne
The arrival of Philippe Montanier has undeniably transformed Saint-Étienne’s fortunes. The experienced coach, who previously led Toulouse to promotion to Ligue 1 in 2022 and won the Coupe de France a year later, has instilled a sense of structure and pragmatism that was lacking under Horneland. This shift in approach has resonated with the players and the fans, leading to a string of impressive results.
Ben Old, a Saint-Étienne midfielder, recently credited Montanier with bringing more structure and pragmatism to the team, leading to four straight victories before the Red Star match. (BBC Sport, March 2, 2026). This success has quickly elevated Saint-Étienne into a serious contender for promotion.
Montanier’s familiarity with French football, coupled with his proven track record, made him the ideal candidate to revitalize the club. His experience and tactical acumen have provided a much-needed boost to a team eager to return to the top flight.
What’s Next for Both Sides?
Saint-Étienne will look to continue their winning streak as they prepare for their next Ligue 2 fixture. Red Star, meanwhile, will need to regroup and refocus their efforts on securing a playoff spot. The coming weeks will be crucial for both teams as they navigate the challenges of the Ligue 2 season.
Red Star faces a challenging schedule, and will need to rediscover their scoring touch to remain competitive. Saint-Étienne, buoyed by their recent success, will be aiming to maintain their momentum and close the gap on the league leaders.
The race for promotion in Ligue 2 is heating up, and both Saint-Étienne and Red Star will play a key role in determining the final outcome.
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