Saint-Étienne hope for Nice to gain extra recovery time before Ligue one/two play-off

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·17 mai 2026

Saint-Étienne hope for Nice to gain extra recovery time before Ligue one/two play-off

According to L'Équipe, Saint-Étienne are preparing as if their Ligue one/two play-off first leg will be on Thursday 21 May, with the return on Sunday 24 May. They are quietly hoping, without much expectation, to draw Nice for the extra recovery time that would bring.

Head coach Philippe Montanier has set a lighter programme for his squad in the build-up.

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Les Verts secured their place by beating Rodez in play-off two on Friday, 0-0 then 7-6 on penalties.

They will learn their opponent, Ligue one’s 16th-placed side, on Sunday at around 23.00, in a tie that will decide whether they return to the top flight next season.

If that team are Nice, the schedule would shift because they play the Coupe de France final against Lens on 22 May at 21.00, moving the matches to 26 and 29 May.

Source: L'Équipe