AS Saint-Étienne 4-3 Venezia – AS Saint-Étienne edged Venezia 4-3 in a seven-goal thriller during an international club friendly on 1 August 2026. The match was open, dramatic and packed with attacking intent, giving both coaching staffs plenty of material to review as their preseasons continue.

Match Overview

Saint-Étienne and Venezia produced one of those friendlies that resembles a proper competitive fixture. The two sides traded blows from the opening stages, with goals arriving at regular intervals and no shortage of incident at both ends of the pitch. In the end, it was the French side who held on to claim the victory.

Key Moments

• End-to-end start: Both teams scored early, setting the tone for an open contest.
• Saint-Étienne’s decisive push: The home side managed to build a lead that proved just enough despite Venezia’s continued pressure.
• Late drama: Venezia kept fighting until the final whistle, scoring a third goal to make the closing stages tense.

Tactical Story

Saint-Étienne looked to dominate through midfield control and wide overloads, while Venezia relied on quick transitions and direct running in behind the defence. The result was a highly entertaining fixture in which defensive lines were regularly stretched. Both teams used their full squad, allowing younger players to gain valuable minutes alongside more established names.

What the Result Means

For AS Saint-Étienne, scoring four goals in a friendly is a positive sign, particularly as the team integrates new players and builds fitness. Venezia, meanwhile, will be encouraged by their attacking output but will want to tighten things up at the back. In the context of preseason preparation, results matter less than performance, and the match offered both clubs a useful workout with plenty of intensity.