The Greens travel to Troyes this Saturday. A meeting that will have a special taste for three Saint-Etienne residents. Without a doubt, motivation will not be lacking for these men who recently passed through ESTAC.
The stakes will once again be high for this third consecutive trip. In a very homogeneous championship, ASSE will have the opportunity to continue its rise in the rankings. The Greens will have to get a result at the Stade de l’Aube if they want to get closer to their goal.
In addition to these issues, the meeting will have a particular taste for four Greens. Four ASSE employees recently passed through ESTAC.
Laurent Batlles
We immediately think of the Greens coach. Laurent Batlles achieved a feat on the Aube side only 3 years ago. A full season with a group that crushed everything. After a first season where he finished fourth (2019-2020), the former Greens playmaker more than confirmed the following year. 23 wins, 8 draws and only 7 defeats. An undeniable rise with 77 points on the clock.
The progress of Ligue 1 has been difficult for ESTAC and Laurent Batlles. From mid-season, he left Troyes. A club recently bought by the City Groupe. Different internal tensions are pushing towards a change of coach. Bruno Irles will take over.
After bouncing back to ASSE, the Greens coach will return to his former club for the first time.
Assistant coach Damien Ott, head coach Laurent Batlles and goalkeeping coach Johan Liebus of Troyes during the Ligue 2 match between Niort and Troyes at Stade Rene Gaillard on July 26, 2019 in Niort, France. (Photo by Aude Alcover/Icon Sport)
Dylan Chambost
ASSE number 14 will also be keen to shine. Not retained by the Greens, Laurent Batlles repatriated it to ESTAC. He will experience the same success as his trainer who has full confidence in him. If he is not as decisive as he would hope, Dylan Chambost has the keys to the Trojan game. A role that fit him like a glove in the famous and successful 3-6-1 of the time.
As with his long-time coach, Dylan Chambost will have more difficulty establishing himself in Ligue 1. The competition is tough. He slowly lost his place and regularly found himself on the sidelines. A replacement role which will later lead to a departure.
At the end of its contract, ESTAC chooses not to extend it. Without a club, he took the opportunity to return to Saint-Etienne to establish himself. Back in the group since last Saturday, he will be keen to show his talent in a stadium he knows well.
Dylan CHAMBOST of Estac Troyes during the Ligue 1 Uber Eats match between Strasbourg and Troyes at La Meinau Stadium on August 22, 2021 in Strasbourg, France. (Photo by Hugo Pfeiffer/Icon Sport)
Florian Tardieu
His arrival has undoubtedly changed the face of ASSE. Bringing his serenity and all his qualities into the Saint-Etienne midfield, Florian Tardieu became essential on the Forez side in no time.
He will return to his former club with a special feeling this Saturday. Former captain of ESTAC, he remains adored and should be entitled to the applause of the opposing public.
At 31, the experienced midfielder was no longer in his coach’s plans. The City Group promotes the development of young players. Objectives which pushed the coach to grant less playing time to Florian Tardieu. Injured since January, ESTAC even agreed to release him from his last year of contract so that he could join ASSE without any transfer compensation. The Saint-Etienne residents are rubbing their hands with it today. A player who would undoubtedly have deserved a better outing for Troyes.
The number 5 of the Greens will return to a stadium that he knows perfectly and will cross paths with his former coach, Patrick Kisnorbo.
Florian TARDIEU of Troyes celebrates during the French Ligue 1 Uber Eats soccer match between Troyes and Rennes at Stade de l’Aube on September 4, 2022 in Troyes, France. (Photo by Baptiste Fernandez/Icon Sport)
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