After a grueling penalty shootout, AS Saint-Étienne secured a 7-6 victory over Rodez AF to claim their spot in the Ligue 1 promotion playoff. The match, which ended 0-0 at full time, saw the Verts overcome their relegation demons with a nerve-shredding display under the Geoffroy-Guichard floodlights.
Maubleu’s heroics seal Saint-Étienne’s fate
Philippe Montanier’s bold tactical call paid off as he replaced starting goalkeeper Gautier Larsonneur with penalty specialist Brice Maubleu just before the shootout. While Maubleu missed his own attempt, his decisive intervention saw him make four crucial saves, silencing the visiting side. “I had the ball to send us through, I missed, but I had to redeem myself—and Mika Nadé finished the job,” the relieved goalkeeper confessed after the final whistle.
Rodez’s unbeaten streak ends in heartbreak
The visitors arrived with momentum, boasting a 21-match unbeaten run, but their hopes of claiming a playoff spot were dashed in dramatic fashion. Saint-Étienne, playing at home, dominated possession but struggled to break down Quentin Braat’s resilient defense. Wilitty Younoussa came closest with a strike that rattled the crossbar, while Rodez squandered a golden chance in stoppage time.
The Verts’ victory marks their first successful penalty shootout since 2016, ending a five-game losing streak in the format. “It was incredible,” Maubleu added. “The crowd was electric, and we knew we had to deliver.”
Playoff opponents await
The identity of Saint-Étienne’s opponent in the Ligue 1 promotion playoff will be confirmed at the end of this weekend’s Ligue 1 fixtures. The team that finishes 16th will face the Ligue 2 runners-up in a high-stakes two-legged tie, with the first leg set to take place at Geoffroy-Guichard. The stakes couldn’t be higher—the loser risks relegation to the second tier.
Saint-Étienne’s triumph over Rodez follows a similar feat two years ago, when they defeated Metz in a playoff to secure promotion back to Ligue 1. Though their stay was short-lived, the club now has another chance to climb back to the top flight and prove their resilience.
