After a grueling penalty shootout, Saint-Étienne clinched a spot in the promotion playoff, overcoming Rodez with a 7-6 victory in the shootout following a 0-0 draw. The match, played at Geoffroy-Guichard Stadium, marked the Verts‘ return to contention for Ligue 1 after their relegation last season.
Maubleu’s heroics seal the deal
With the score deadlocked after extra time, Philippe Montanier made a bold tactical decision by substituting Gautier Larsonneur for Brice Maubleu in goal for the shootout. The move paid off spectacularly as Maubleu, despite missing his own penalty, made four crucial saves to deny Rodez any chance of extending the shootout. His composure under pressure was the defining moment of the evening. « I missed the chance to win it myself, but I had to step up and deliver for the team, » Maubleu revealed after the match, reflecting on the high-stakes finale.
Rodez’s unbeaten streak ends in heartbreak
The Ruthénois had arrived at Geoffroy-Guichard on a remarkable 21-match unbeaten run, but their hopes of forcing a playoff clash with the 16th-placed Ligue 1 side were dashed by Saint-Étienne’s resilience. While Rodez dominated possession in patches, they struggled to break down the Verts‘ defense, with Quentin Braat making several key saves. The visitors also squandered a golden opportunity in the 81st minute, leaving the stadium in stunned silence.
For Saint-Étienne, the victory was a statement of intent. Just three days prior, Rodez had defeated Red Star 3-2, a result that highlighted the gulf between the two sides in this high-stakes encounter. « We knew this wouldn’t be easy, but we believed in ourselves, » said a visibly relieved Montanier post-match.
A familiar path to redemption
This victory echoed Saint-Étienne‘s triumph in 2024, when they overcame Metz in a dramatic playoff to secure promotion back to Ligue 1. Though their stay in the top flight was short-lived that season, the club now has another shot at redemption. Their next opponent in the playoff will be determined by the outcome of the 34th matchday in Ligue 1, with the suspense set to continue until Sunday.
The atmosphere at Geoffroy-Guichard was electric throughout the night, with the fans’ unwavering support serving as a constant reminder of the high stakes. As the final whistle blew, the Verts had not only ended their own five-match losing streak in penalty shootouts—a drought stretching back a decade—but had also reignited their ambitions for a swift return to the top flight.