Zuriko Davitachvili strikes again against Laval as Saint-Étienne climb in Ligue 2 | OneFootball

Zuriko Davitachvili converted a third minute penalty against Laval to set up Saint-Étienne’s third straight win, taking him to 11 goals in 20 Ligue 2 games and into the division’s top three scorers.

Retained after last May’s relegation amid insufficient bids, he drifted under Eirik Horneland and lost his starting berth, benched five times including the 3-2 win at Troyes on 8 November. L'Équipe notes that the Georgian international, 24, has now re-emerged as a central figure.

Philippe Montanier’s arrival has restored him on the left and appears to have reignited him. He struck twice inside 14 minutes at Guingamp for his third brace of the season, then made another fast start against Laval.

While No nine Lucas Stassin has been stuck on four since deciding Amiens 1-0 on 23 September, Davitachvili keeps supplying the goals. With a little more fortune he might have put Laval out of reach.

Linking well with Stassin and Irvin Cardona, he is already enjoying the most prolific campaign of his career with 10 matches left. He also scored in the Coupe de France, a 1-2 defeat at Nice on 21 December. He sits level with Louis Mafouta and only Tawfik Bentayeb, on 12 from 18, is ahead.

Saint-Étienne are second, two points behind leaders Troyes. Their defence is the leakiest in the top seven, but their attack is Ligue 2’s most productive, and Davitachvili’s right foot is driving a push for Ligue 1.

Source: L'Équipe