For the first time since Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang left in 2013, Saint-Etienne possess a veritable goalscorer and are setting their sights the Champions League qualification ahead of Sunday’s derby, writes Matthew Spiro.
When Wahbi Khazri blasted home a stunning late winner against Marseille on Wednesday night, the Stade Geoffroy-Guichard erupted with joy. It was the kind of moment that must have evoked memories of Dominique Rocheteau, Johnny Repp and Michel Platini among supporters of a certain age. Back in the 1970s, Les Verts were a continental force, and while there is no suggestion they’ll reach another European final soon, there is now a very real possibility that Jean-Louis Gasset’s charges will surge in to next season’s Champions League.
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This famous old club is rocking again thanks to an unlikely hero.
The Wizard
The inspiration behind Saint-Etienne‘s surge up to third – one place and two points above their rivals and this weekend’s opponents Lyon – has been the diminutive but devilishly skilful and direct Tunisian Khazri. The explosive 27-year-old already has 12 league strikes to his name (only Nicolas Pépé, 13, and Kylian Mbappé, 14, have more), ten of which have been registered at the bubbling Chaudron. Many have been absolute beauties – stunning volleys (Guingamp), sizzling long-rangers (Monaco), swerving free-kicks (Nantes), or rasping shots in to the roof of the net (Dijon and Marseille) – and the Saint-Etienne faithful have well and truly taken Khazri to their hearts.
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This club has a long tradition of brilliant strikers, yet until the current campaign nobody had succeeded in filling the void left by Aubameyang. None of Nolan Roux, Alexander Soderlund, Ricky van Wolfswinkel, Robert Beric or Loïs Diony were capable of meeting the fans’ lofty expectations. Max-Alain Gradel impressively netted 17 goals in 2014-15, but he did so from the wing rather than a central position.
Everything in its right place
Sunderland fans might be surprised to hear this, but Khazri is now threatening to join a very elite list by becoming Saint-Etienne’s latest revered striker. For the majority of his career Khazri played as a wide forward or attacking midfielder. He started last season – in the English second tier with Sunderland – operating on the flank. It was from that position he had netted ten goals for Bastia in 2011-12 and then sporadically shone with Bordeaux. But the role never got the best of his ability, as a return of just three strikes in 38 league matches for a struggling Sunderland team suggests.
The new, improved Khazri first surfaced during his loan spell at Rennes last term. Sabri Lamouchi had an injury crisis in attack and decided to use Khazri as his solitary forward in a ‘false 9’ role. It worked a treat, and after he had grabbed nine goals in 24 appearances, Khazri impressed in the same position for the Carthage Eagles at the 2018 World Cup. Rennes and Saint-Etienne subsequently faced off to try to secure Khazri’s services on a permanent basis. Gasset and Saint-Etienne pushed hardest, and they won’t be regretting those efforts today.
Whether playing as a lone attacker, or alongside Diony, Saint-Etienne’s number 10 has delivered. On course to reach the sacred 20-goal mark, Khazri will be hoping to write his name further in to Saint-Etienne folklore this Sunday by inspiring a win in fixture that means more than any other to the supporters.
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Les Verts, who are unbeaten at home this season and have their passionate fans behind them, go in to the game with confidence. For once, they and not Lyon will possess the most feared attacker on the pitch. Win and they’ll be five points clear of their neighbours in the race for Champions League qualification. And Khazri’s transformation from Championship misfit to Ligue 1 star will be all but complete.
>> PREVIEW: Fekir and Khazri duel in Saint-Etienne – Lyon derby date
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