We had to wait until the end to find out who, AS Saint-Étienne or Rodez, would have the honor of facing the 16th in Ligue 1 to try to reach the elite. Opposed this Friday as part of the Ligue 2 play-off 2, the two teams held each other in line until the end of regulation time. And so it was on penalties that everything was decided. A session that smiled on the Stéphanois, with a crazy performance from Brice Maubleu (0-0, 7 tab to 6).
Three days after taking out Red Star in play-off 1 (2-3), Rodez nevertheless played his luck bravely, from the first period. If the Greens held the ball (62%), it was the visitors who had the best opportunity with a post found by Wilitty Younoussa (22nd).
Return to the locker room with a goalless draw of 0-0 and resumption of the game with a match pattern quite similar to that of the first act. AS Saint-Étienne played the game while the Ruthenois tried their luck on the counter. There were heatstrokes again, and this time on both sides. But it was once again Rodez who came close to opening the scoring. After an ultra-dangerous cross, the ball returned to Samy Benchamma who missed the target with his flat foot (81st).
Brice Maubleu, penalty shootout hero
No overtime in this play-off phase and it was therefore the penalties which showed up. Entering stoppage time in the game to replace an injured Gautier Larsonneur (90th + 2), Brice Maubleu turned into a hero. The Saint-Etienne goalkeeper dove on the right side on Mathis Magnin’s attempt, then on that of Raphaël Lipinski. But while ASSE seemed to be heading towards victory, Rodez surprised everyone again. And it was again his goalkeeper who pulled out all the stops with two decisive saves.
And then everything finally changed in favor of the locals. Brice Maubleu stood out again with another save on a weak shot from Nolan Galves. The Saint-Etienne goalkeeper then chose to shoot on goal and missed his attempt, stopped by a flamboyant Quentin Braat. But it was said that Maubleu would be the hero of the day for ASSE and he stopped a fourth shot on goal. Mickael Nade then scored, giving his team a place in the play-offs. Rodez leaves through the front door. The Greens will face Le Havre, Auxerre or Nice. Response Sunday evening.
