AS Saint-Étienne dey prepare to host Rodez for play-off 2 at Geoffroy-Guichard on Friday night. Dis match na direct elimination, winner go face 16th place for Ligue 1.
Samy Benchamma, Rodez midfielder, talk about dia incredible run of 21 matches without defeat. ‘E be like dream. We dey on 21 matches without loss. Di group sabi each other well well now, and everything positive. We go go Saint-Étienne to continue our dream,’ he yarn.
Benchamma, wey come from Tarn area, join Rodez in September. He explain say di team get young players wey dey gel well. ‘I arrive late for transfer window, but di team already dey. Dem integrate me well. I dey close to my family, wey dey help me feel good off di pitch.’
Di midfielder talk about dia approach: ‘We no dey calculate. We take matches one by one. In December we far from play-off places. But we continue to win, draw, and now we dey here.’
For di match, Benchamma say dem no get pressure. ‘Geoffroy-Guichard na mythical stadium with huge crowd. But we go there to get something. Since January we win many away matches. We believe.’
Zuriko Davitashvili, ASSE winger, also talk for press conference. He say Rodez be good team with balance. ‘Dem play counter-attack with two strikers. But we ready. We get our game plan.’
Davitashvili admit say pressure dey for such match. ‘Before every match dey pressure, and for play-off e dey more. But we must enjoy. We go play in our stadium with 40,000 fans. For footballer, dis kind match na dream. We need to focus and avoid mistakes to beat Rodez.’
ASSE coach Philippe Montanier get four players back from injury: Larsonneur, Pedro, Le Cardinal, Duffus. All dey for starting eleven.
Rodez come after beating Red Star for first play-off round. But dem play third away match in one week, wey fit tire dem.
First half end 0-0. Rodez get early chances, including volley from Wilitty Younoussa wey hit post. ASSE no create real danger.
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