Saint-Étienne seek response at Metz after Dunkerque setback | OneFootball

A week after losing to Dunkerque, Saint-Étienne head to Metz seeking a response. The occasion carries extra weight, with the international break looming and a direct promotion rival in front of them.

After their first defeat of the season, 2-1 at Dunkerque, which halted a run of five straight wins, the mood was kept steady in preparation for the trip. Le Progres notes that the Verts avoided negativity through the week.

Head coach Ian Cathro downplayed the setback with a dry aside, saying the reaction was simple, sleep, wake and train again. In his press conference he repeatedly called for calm, suggesting he sensed anxiety around the side.

Even so, both within the squad and among regular observers, the opening five matches offer grounds for optimism. Metz away on Saturday provides another serious measure of where they stand.

The immediate objective is a measured reaction that keeps their early-season progress intact.

Source: Le Progres

“Artificial intelligence was used to assist in creating this article based on reporting from the original source quoted.”