For this return to competition after a break of more than a month, the Greens moved to Annecy. This 16th day sees a match between the upkeep candidates and will necessarily deliver a contested match in the freezing cold. The Greens will be looking to get their 4th win of the season and launch a hot streak quickly. In the meantime, here is the probable composition of this match which will start at 5 pm on the BeIN Sport channels.
Absences
After almost 45 days of respite, the club is still facing several absences. First, two players were disqualified for the occasion. This is Jimmy Giraudon who got a red card in his last game against Rodez and Krasso.
Beyond these two absences, Thomas Monconduit, already absent before the World Cup break, is still a forfeit. The Saint-Etienne midfielder suffers from a persistent calf problem that prevents him from resuming team training.
In addition, coach Stéphane has to contend with the absences of Palencia, Gauthier and Green, all three of whom are injured. Bakayoko is considered too short!
The probable 11
Here are the eleven that Laurent Batlles will field for this first match after the truce, according to the writing of the green people.
A guard on site
Matthieu Dreyer became the number 1 goalkeeper in the post hierarchy. This situation could change with the arrival of a goalkeeper during the winter transfer market. However, he will keep Saint-Etienne’s goal against Annecy. Especially since Etienne Green suffers from low back pain and is not available.
Boubacar Fall will take his place on the substitutes bench for this fixture following his good outings in preparation.
A 4-man defense?
For the first time in several weeks, Laurent Batlles should favor a 4-man defence. With so many absences or uncertainties, the Loire coach will already have to tinker. After the farewell of Yvann Maçon and the absence of Sergi Palencia, the right wing should be occupied by Anas Namri. At left-back, the marginalization of Gabriel Silva e the non-signature de Ghoulam will promote Léo Petrot.
The uncertainty lies in the axis of the hinge. Who will accompany Anthony Briançon, Saidou Sow? Who should leave the club in January or Mickaël Nadé? We opt for lefties!
A hybrid environment
In our opinion, Laurent Batlles will rely on a hybrid midfielder capable of repeating defensive efforts and hurting the Haute-Savoie midfield. Benjamin Bouchouari will start with Aimen Moueffek. Two complementary profiles that combine technique and stroke volume.
Mathieu Cafaro and Victor Lobry will settle on the sides. It is possible that the team will switch to a 4-3-3 formation in defense with a 3-man midfielder Bouchouari, Lobry and Moueffek. However, our idea is to be offensive while maintaining a certain balance in the game.
A two-pronged attack?
Laurent Batlles can count on his joker Gaëtan Charbonnier. The striker returns to a championship that has always smiled at him. We hope that the love story between Charbonnier and Ligue 2 can soon be reborn from its ashes after having left it for a few months. He will be accompanied by Senegalese striker Ibrahima Wadji in a two-point system. In Krasso’s absence, the Saint-Etienne coach has few other options!
On the bench : Dylan Chambost, Mathys Saban, Abdoulaye Sidibe, Boubacar Fall, Saidou Sow, Louis Mouton, Lenny Pintor, Mathys Saban, Abdoulaye Sidibe
Photo credit: axis.fr
