What to take away from this never-ending international break... ?

Because yes, ever since that painful draw conceded late against Metz on September 19th, we've had to wait THREE weeks to see our Verts back on a Ligue 2 pitch. Rodez comes to visit at Geoffroy-Guichard on October 10th, and honestly, outside of the summer break, we'd never experienced such a long pause. Even at Christmas, it won't last that long! Three weeks without Saint-Étienne football is three weeks too many, full stop.

And meanwhile, just imagine the headache for our coach Cathro: no less than 15 players unavailable! Csongvai, Old, Nair, Pedro, Cardona, Svetlin, Ndiaye, Davitashvili, Boakye... all off defending their national colors. Our youngsters weren't forgotten either: Kasia with France U18, Baalal with Morocco U20, El Jamali with France U20, Benkou with Algeria U20. Add in the injured Jaber and Le Cardinal, and you get a locker room as empty as the Chaudron on a COVID pandemic Sunday. The kind of squad we've had joy with... in CFA2, not in Ligue 1!

And yet, being short-handed doesn't mean sitting on our hands! On Friday, our players still faced Sion in a friendly, behind closed doors at l'Etrat, no cameras, no broadcast. Just for the lucky few who were allowed in.

And what came out of it, ladies and gentlemen? A proper football lesson, 5 goals to 1! 🍩🍩🍩🍩🍩 Okay, granted, the Swiss side was also missing a bunch of players during this break, just like us. But still!

The stars of the night? Jakob Breum and Thierno Ballo, who each scored a brace. Breum, that's THE comeback we've all been waiting for: at 100%, muscle issues forgotten, he strolled on the pitch. And Ballo? Two goals AND two assists, the man literally carried the team on his shoulders. That guy's got pure electricity in his veins!

On the youth side, we also had two standouts: Tom Teillol, brilliant down the left flank, and the "little" Tunisian signing (6'3") Elyes Dhaoui, who showed off some crazy technique — and that lanky frame in defensive midfield gives you ideas for the future! I reckon we won't have to wait long to see his tall frame called upon to stabilize the midfield in tense closing stages...

Chico Lamba got back a starting spot at center-back... let's be honest, it was quiet, nothing more. Ferreira, on the other hand, scored and looked comfortable on his right flank. The only downside of the night: Joshua Duffus, who played the full 90 minutes without managing to stand out despite the collective offensive festival. Still waiting for that spark to click...

And then there's this heartwarming story: Martin Paalberg, the 17-year-old Estonian who arrived last winter and never got a game due to injuries, finally played his first match. We saw some promising flashes before the lack of match rhythm caught up with him. He gave up his spot at half-time to a 17-year-old Cameroonian on trial... And surprise: Bodoma signed a contract with Les Verts right after! Welcome to the club, young man! 🟢

Starting lineup (captain: Bernauer): Goalkeeper: Larsonneur Defense: Ferreira, Lamba, Gueye, Teillol Midfield: Bernauer (c), Dhaoui Attack: Breum, Ballo, Duffus, Paalberg

So what now? The internationals are due back by Wednesday at the latest. The big question on everyone's lips: which of the Sion soldiers will keep their place on Saturday against Rodez? At first glance, Larsonneur, Bernauer, Ballo and Breum are nearly certain to start.

As for the others? It'll all depend on the state our globe-trotters are in when they get back to the Forez. Fresh as daisies or wrecked by the travel... In the meantime, one thing's for sure: Rodez at Geoffroy is a must-win, full stop. The Chaudron is already buzzing for it.

Allez les Verts! 💚⚪