Three players have played every single minute of Saint-Étienne’s opening seven matches, totaling 630 minutes on the pitch, according to data published by club outlet Peuple-Vert.fr. Áron Csongvai, Gautier Larsonneur, and Sohaib Naïr anchor that exclusive group, dictating a rigid spine for Ian Cathro’s side as the squad prepares to face Rodez on October 10.
Rigid Selections Shape Cathro’s Opening Core
That heavy reliance on a select group defined the start of Saint-Étienne’s campaign. Julien Le Cardinal sits right behind the leading trio with 626 minutes, while Kévin Pedro has logged 596 minutes and Maxime Bernauer stands at 566 minutes. Augustine Boakye and Irvin Cardona have also crossed the 500-minute threshold. Early on, Cathro settled on a reliable base, with ten different players starting every match across the first three fixtures before injuries and tactical tweaks forced alterations.
Stalling Form Tests the First-Choice Group
Peuple-Vert.fr reported that the international break arrived after a frustrating slowdown for the club. Following a streak of five consecutive victories, Les Verts dropped a fixture to Dunkerque before surrendering two points to draw with Metz. Up next on October 10 sits a demanding schedule featuring fixtures against the Red Star, Nantes, Guingamp, and Laval. That upcoming block requires squad depth, so Cathro must decide whether to stick with his trusted starters or rotate his squad.
Chasing Minutes in the Attacking Third
Further up the pitch, playing time splits are much sharper. Thierno Ballo has recorded 431 minutes, Zuriko Davitashvili sits at 391, and Jakob Breum has totaled 338 minutes. Joshua Duffus has appeared in all seven matches but managed only 171 minutes, functioning primarily as a late-match substitute. Breum’s lower total stems from an early injury exit against Grenoble rather than a drop in standing; the Danish forward responded by scoring twice in a friendly win over Sion. Ballo also scored a brace in that fixture, giving both attackers vital rhythm.
Defensive Reinforcements Set to Return
At the opposite end of the playing-time chart, Chico Lamba has featured for just four minutes and Mahmoud Jaber for 25, largely due to interrupted fitness recoveries. Peuple-Vert.fr noted that Lamba played a full match against Sion while Le Cardinal rested after sustaining a knock against Metz. Jaber continues individual rehabilitation and aims for a return within seven to ten days. Their recoveries provide Cathro with fresh defensive and midfield alternatives as the club resumes league play against Rodez.
