Jean-Michel Larqué warns ASSE over away form

Saint-Etienne’s bid to return to Ligue 1 could be put at risk by its record away from home, Jean-Michel Larqué has warned. The former ASSE player believes the team looks stronger than last season, but says its early results already resemble the pattern that damaged the club’s previous promotion campaign.

The Verts began the Ligue 2 season with five straight wins and moved to the top of the table. That strong start was followed by a 2-1 defeat at Dunkerque and a 2-2 draw at Metz. Those matches have raised concerns over a side that has scored freely but has also conceded too many goals. Larqué’s assessment is that Saint-Etienne cannot rely on scoring three times whenever it allows two on the road.

The defensive issue is particularly significant because the club’s objective is promotion. Last season, Saint-Etienne had been expected to finish among the top two and return directly to the elite. Instead, the team had to go through the promotion play-offs, where it lost to Nice and remained in Ligue 2.

Larqué, now 79, says the current squad has more quality but does not want the club to become overconfident after its impressive opening. He believes Saint-Etienne must collect more points away from home, arguing that promotion campaigns are decided on the road as well as in front of home supporters. The team will resume its league programme against Rodez on October 10.