A starter in all ten matches, centre-back Sohaib Naïr found himself on the bench for ASSE’s win over Laval (2-0). Ian Cathro, the head coach, defended a decision made with the team in mind.
For the first time this season, the AS Saint-Étienne centre-back watched the match from the bench, according to Top Mercato. ASSE won 2-0 against Stade Lavallois.
Until then, Naïr had been an undisputed starter: ten starts in ten matches, 900 minutes played. A run interrupted by his coach’s decision to field a different centre-back pairing for this game.
Pedro preferred in the middle
According to Top Mercato, Ian Cathro lined up Kévin Pedro in the centre of defence alongside Julien Le Cardinal. Pedro thus took Naïr’s place at the heart of the back line.
Speaking at a press conference, the coach framed the decision as a collective one. “My job is to make these decisions and these choices. It’s not just about one player. It’s about the team,” he said, in comments relayed by OneFootball.
He then stressed the notion of balance: “My job is to get the right balance in my team, to have players playing on their good foot, and to make these decisions. These choices aren’t explained by one player alone.”
ASSE stay on course
The result went ASSE’s way. Against Laval, the club secured a sixth consecutive home win and strengthened its first place in Ligue 2, three points ahead of Nancy, according to Top Mercato.
For Naïr, the episode raises a simple question: his place in the rotation. With 900 minutes played before this matchday, his removal from the starting XI, even if only temporary, is a first this season.
Next up after the break
AS Saint-Étienne will play their next Ligue 2 match after the international break, though the exact date is not specified in the sources.
Until then, Naïr remains on a run of ten starts in ten matches this season. Whether this bench appearance against Laval proves a one-off remains to be seen.