Philippe Montanier’s decision to bring on Brice Maubleu in the dying seconds of regulation time proved decisive. The veteran goalkeeper, replacing the injured Gautier Larsonneur, pulled off four stunning saves in the shootout, including a crucial stop that sent Saint-Étienne through to face the 16th-placed Ligue 1 side—either Le Havre, Auxerre, or Nice—over a two-legged tie. The first leg will be played at Geoffroy-Guichard on May 21, with the return in the opposition camp three days later.

A match of missed chances and dramatic turns

The deadlock was broken only by the drama of penalties. Saint-Étienne had two early stops from Maubleu and took a two-goal lead, but Rodez fought back. Aïmen Moueffek missed what would have been the match-winning penalty, only for Saint-Étienne to face their own crisis when two consecutive misses from their youngsters kept them in the game. Maubleu, who had already saved two spot-kicks, stepped up himself but saw his effort saved. His fourth stop, however, set up Loïc Nadé to seal the win and send the passionate Saint-Étienne fans into raptures.

Rodez’s near miss

Saint-Étienne struggled to break down a resolute Rodez side, who had gone 21 games unbeaten and were coming off a 3-2 win at Red Star in the first playoff round. Wilitty Younoussa came agonisingly close in the 21st minute, hitting the left post from a header, while Tairyk Arconte forced Larsonneur into a fine save in stoppage time. In the second half, Rodez faded slightly, and Saint-Étienne dominated possession without creating clear chances. Moueffek’s late strike was comfortably saved by Braat, and Sammy Benchamma blazed over a golden chance in the 81st minute, leaving Rodez to rue their missed opportunities.