Saint Etienne secured a vital 2-1 victory over Guingamp in a tense Ligue 2 encounter at the Stade de Roudourou. The hero of the night was Zuriko Davitashvili, who found the back of the net twice within the opening 14 minutes. Despite a spirited second-half effort by the hosts, including a goal from Donatien Gomis, Guingamp fell short of completing their comeback.
Early Strikes from Davitashvili
The game kicked off with Saint Etienne exerting early pressure, which paid off when Davitashvili converted a penalty in the 10th minute. Just four minutes later, he doubled their lead with a clean finish assisted by Irvin Cardona. These early goals set the tone for the rest of the first half, where Guingamp struggled to find their rhythm, managing only a few speculative efforts.
Guingamp's Resilient Response
In the second half, Guingamp emerged with renewed vigor. Their persistence was rewarded in the 60th minute when Gomis struck with precision, reducing the deficit and igniting hopes of a comeback. Despite dominating possession with 63%, the home team couldn't break through Saint Etienne's resolute defense, as two more substitutions in the 75th minute failed to alter the match's outcome.
Statistics and Tactical Insights
Guingamp's dominance in possession was evident, completing 568 passes with an 85% accuracy, far outstripping Saint Etienne's 348 passes. However, the away side's clinical finishing and defensive organization proved decisive. Davitashvili's influence was undeniable, his performance reinforced by eight player rating points and contributing two shots on target.
Looking Ahead
For Saint Etienne, this win adds momentum and confidence as they look to climb further up the league table. Guingamp, despite a solid home performance, must address their defensive vulnerabilities to bounce back in their upcoming fixtures. With crucial matches on the horizon, both teams will need to refine their strategies to achieve their season objectives.
