Saint-Étienne tense before Amiens, need two-goal win and Le Mans slip for automatic spot | OneFootball

Saint-Étienne approach Saturday’s 20.00 kick-off against Amiens at Geoffroy-Guichard with the city on edge, promotion back to the top flight still within reach.

After a February switch to Philippe Montanier, his first nine matches yielded seven wins and two draws before three straight defeats. According to L'Équipe, the city is oscillating between anxiety and patience.

Montanier bristled at the 1-2 defeat in Rodez when some in the stands shouted “cheaters”, then met fan-group representatives on Monday to explain his anger without apologising. He later said talks were constructive, adding that supporters back the team during games even if they boo when it plays poorly.

Tension also surrounds the ultras, with a banner above the Beer Garden reading “Le Chaudron ne se dissout pas” after Interior Ministry moves against the Green Angels and Magic Fans.

Ex-coach Olivier Dall’Oglio said pressure is intense at a club that cannot accept mediocrity, heightened by Canadian billionaire owner Larry Tanenbaum, who is due at the stadium. He urged unity and said nothing is lost.

Automatic promotion requires Le Mans to drop points at Bastia and Saint-Étienne to beat relegated Amiens by at least two. Otherwise they face the play-offs. City festivities, including a tribute to the 1976 European finalists and a “Tous en Vert” drive, are going ahead, and mayor Régis Juanico says 40,000 would celebrate downtown if joy arrives.

Source: L'Équipe