Match Previews

Sainté struggling in Ligue 1 and may rotate... Landrin (r)(mid), Perrin (r)(def) and Linganzi (sp)(mid) still lead the injury list... Monsoreau (r)(def) returns... Saint-Étienne’s form in Europe this season has largely been in contrast to their domestic play. Sitting near the foot of Ligue 1, lesVerts face a relegation battle domestically but have thrived on the European stage having been given their first chance to play on the continent in almost quarter of a century. Laurent Roussey, who coached the club earlier this season, almost seemed too eager to make an impression on the European stage as the players saved their best performances for such occasions. Under Alain Perrin, Sainté will be forced to be more pragmatic about their chances of winning in Europe as Ligue 1 survival must come first. Although les Verts lost again at the weekend, going down 2-1 to Paris Saint-Germain, Perrin can, overall, be pleased with the showing of his side. A 3-5-2 system was strangely employed in that fixture by Perrin, however, with the defence looking all over the place in the first half, this should be quickly scrapped in favour of a more robust 4-2-3-1 or even 4-4-2. Perrin has previously stated that the league is the priority, so look for players to be rested and rotated out of the side. Strangely, this has not had a negative impact of the European performances of the club this season. Bafetimbi Gomis has scored his share of European goals, though he is one player that could be sacrificed. It would certainly be a surprise to see Ilan start. Dernis and Matsui, who have been fringe players this season, should be asked to play in the wide areas while Blaise Matuidi will likely keep his place in the centre of the side. Combative midfielder Hautcoeur will likely be rotated back in too. One of the three centre-backs that played at the weekend will have to be rotated out. Stathis Tavlardis will relish the chance of playing in his home country so expect Yohann Benalouane to be the man sacrificed. Fellow central defender Sylvain Monsoreau comes back into the team but starting right-back Loïc Perrin and midfielders Landrin and Linganzi are all out.