ASSE faces Nice in Ligue 1 playoff: old uncertain, tardieu returns

Just ten days after securing victory in the Ligue 2 play-offs against Rodez (a 0-0 draw, followed by a 7-6 penalty shootout win), AS Saint-Étienne prepares for a significant challenge: the Ligue 1 promotion/relegation play-off against OGC Nice. On Monday afternoon, ahead of the first leg, Stéphanois coach Philippe Montanier provided an update on his squad’s readiness. Ben Old, the New Zealand left-back, remains a doubt for Tuesday’s opening match at Geoffroy-Guichard due to a hamstring issue picked up against Rodez. A definitive decision on his participation will be made after a final fitness test on Tuesday morning.

The Greens will, however, benefit from the return of Florian Tardieu. The experienced midfielder, sidelined since early March with a calf injury, is now declared fully operational. Conversely, young forward Djylian N’Guessan is unfortunately out of contention, having suffered a new hamstring injury.

Questions also linger regarding the availability of international players who are either currently with their national teams or awaiting selection for the upcoming World Cup. Their ability to feature in Tuesday’s first leg remains uncertain, with Philippe Montanier noting that discussions are ongoing. This uncertainty specifically impacts Ben Old (New Zealand), along with Augustine Boakye and Ebenezer Annan (Ghana).

Catch the full ASSE – OGC Nice Ligue 1 playoff first leg match coverage this Tuesday, starting at 8:45 PM, on your local radio station.