Brice Maubleu to start again as Saint-Étienne host Annecy after Grenoble clean sheet | OneFootball

Brice Maubleu will make a second straight start for Saint-Étienne against Annecy on Saturday at 20:00, with Gautier Larsonneur sidelined, after a 0-0 draw at Grenoble.

According to L'Équipe, since arriving from Grenoble in August 2024 he had not played in Ligue 1 or Ligue 2 for the Verts, limited to three Coupe de France starts and reserve outings in National 3. Larsonneur’s return is expected in April.

He opened his stint at the Stade des Alpes with two key saves in a clean sheet, notably thwarting former team-mate Jessy Benet by anticipating a familiar cross-shot. He previously made 360 appearances for Grenoble across the divisions, from Ligue 1 down to the fifth tier after the 2011 collapse, then back to Ligue 2.

The following day he was re-elected as a municipal councillor in Bernin, Isère.

He could line up behind a back three if Chico Lamba starts on the right. He said that with a three the keeper is used less in build-up, whereas with a flat back four he drops between the centre-backs. He has saved eight Ligue 2 penalties in his career.

Head coach Philippe Montanier said occasional National 3 matches and work with goalkeeper coach Jean-François Bédénik keep him sharp, and that his calmness spreads through the team.

At 36, Maubleu believes he can play until 40 and, with his contract up in the coming months, he would like to extend. He stressed he does not want to let the team sink, his aim is to help bring points. Away from football, he is a father of two, holds sports management and marketing qualifications, and sits on the UNFP board.

Source: L'Équipe