Larsonneur Injury Leaves ASSE Goalkeeper Ndiaye Awaiting First Start

AS Saint-Étienne goalkeeper Gautier Larsonneur sustained a knee joint injury during a 2-0 victory against Rodez on October 10, 2026, at Stade Geoffroy-Guichard, leaving his availability for an upcoming top-of-the-table clash in doubt.

Larsonneur exited the pitch in the 88th minute following a collision with teammate Kévin Pedro. The clean sheet secured a 2-0 win for Saint-Étienne, with goals scored by Thierno Ballo and Augustine Boakye, lifting the club to the top of the Ligue 2 standings with 19 points.

Knee Injury Casts Doubt on Red Star Clash

Following the match, Ian Cathro addressed the media regarding his starting goalkeeper’s physical condition. Medical staff scheduled additional examinations to determine the extent of the injury and whether Larsonneur can face the Red Star.

The timing presents a significant challenge for the squad. Saint-Étienne holds a two-point lead at the summit of Ligue 2 heading into a match against the Red Star, who sit second in the table following four consecutive victories. Sport.fr noted that the fixture is scheduled for Saturday, October 17, 2026, at Stade Bauer.

Mamour Ndiaye Awaits Potential First Start

Mamour Ndiaye entered the match in the 88th minute against Rodez to replace the injured Larsonneur, marking the 20-year-old’s first official minutes in an ASSE jersey. Football365 reported that the young Senegalese goalkeeper made one late save before the final whistle.

Ndiaye arrived at the club during the summer transfer window intended as a developmental backup to Larsonneur, having previously gained starting experience with Norwegian side Sarpsborg and within Senegal’s youth national teams. If Larsonneur fails to recover in time for the trip to Stade Bauer, Ndiaye is positioned to make his first professional start for the club in a high-stakes encounter against the league’s second-placed team.

Fan Reception and Squad Hierarchy Shifts

The potential change in goal follows a period of heavy scrutiny from supporters. However, outlets including Peuple Vert noted that his performance against Rodez answered those critics with decisive interventions that preserved the victory.

Ian Cathro has previously shown willingness to adjust defensive hierarchies when necessary, and a forced change in goal would mirror those tactical shifts. The final decision rests entirely on the results of the medical evaluations conducted ahead of Saturday’s kickoff.