AS Saint-Étienne strengthened their Ligue 2 promotion push with a 1-0 away victory over Red Star FC 93 at Stade Bauer on October 18, 2026. A second-half goal from Lucas Stassin settled a tight contest, and Saint-Étienne’s defensive discipline ensured Red Star’s late pressure came to nothing.

Match overview

Red Star began with energy and looked to press Saint-Étienne high, but the visitors gradually took control of the ball and quietened the home crowd. Saint-Étienne’s midfield rotated well, creating space between the lines and forcing Red Star to defend in a deep block. The breakthrough came just before the hour mark after a patient attacking move.

Red Star responded with greater urgency and pushed bodies forward in the final twenty minutes, but Saint-Étienne’s back line remained organised. The away side managed the closing stages professionally, slowing the tempo and limiting clear sights of goal.

Key moments

• 22’: Red Star created the first opening, but a low shot from the edge of the box was saved comfortably.
• 41’: Saint-Étienne’s goalkeeper Gautier Larsonneur made an important stop after a quick Red Star counter.
• 57’ – Goal: Lucas Stassin scored the winner, converting a precise low cross from Zuriko Davitashvili at the back post.
• 74’: Red Star headed wide from a promising corner as the home side searched for an equaliser.
• 90+2’: Larsonneur secured the clean sheet with a strong save from a deflected effort.

Tactical story

Saint-Étienne controlled possession without rushing. Their midfield kept the ball moving, drew Red Star’s press forward, and then released the wide players into space. Davitashvili was particularly effective at finding pockets on the right, and his assist for Stassin came from exactly that pattern.

Red Star defended well for long spells but struggled to sustain attacks of their own. Their best moments came from transitions and set pieces, yet Saint-Étienne’s compact defensive shape limited second balls and cleared dangerous deliveries. The visitors’ game management in the final fifteen minutes was the mark of a team with promotion experience.

Standout players

Stassin’s movement and finishing made the difference, while Davitashvili was the game’s most creative attacker. Larsonneur’s late saves protected the three points, and Saint-Étienne’s centre-backs dealt confidently with Red Star’s aerial threat. Red Star’s goalkeeper kept his side in the match with several saves, but the home side lacked the final quality to equalise.

Season impact

The win adds another valuable away result to Saint-Étienne’s Ligue 2 campaign and keeps them firmly in the promotion conversation. Red Star remain a tough side to break down at home, but this defeat highlights the fine margins in the division. For Saint-Étienne, a clean sheet and a clinical second-half goal are exactly the ingredients required for a successful promotion push.