Saint-Etienne Defeats Rodez on Penalties to Reach Ligue 1 Play-offs
Saint-Etienne (ASSE) has secured a spot in the Ligue 1 promotion play-offs after defeating Rodez in a penalty shootout following a 0-0 draw at the Geoffroy-Guichard stadium. The decisive factor was goalkeeper Brice Maubleu, who was strategically substituted into the match during added time specifically for the penalty session. Maubleu saved four of Rodez's attempts, ensuring a 7-6 victory for the Greens despite missing his own shot. This win allows Saint-Etienne, relegated to Ligue 2 a year prior, to continue their bid for immediate return to the top flight. They will now face the 16th-placed team from Ligue 1—either Nice, Auxerre, or Le Havre—in a two-legged tie scheduled for May 21 and 24. Although Rodez had remained undefeated in regulation time for six months, they could not overcome Saint-Etienne in the shootout. The match itself was characterized by Saint-Etienne's dominance but lack of clinical finishing, while Rodez showed signs of physical fatigue from previous rounds.
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