The Ligue 1 promotion playoff first leg between AS Saint-Étienne and OGC Nice finished in a scoreless draw on Tuesday evening, a match notable for its lack of attacking threat. According to Opta, the contest produced a combined Expected Goals (xG) total of just 0.41, the lowest recorded in Ligue 1 and Ligue 2 this season, including playoff matches.
This figure also represents the lowest xG value across the last four seasons in French professional football, encompassing Ligue 1, Ligue 2, and the promotion playoffs. Neither side registered a shot on target during the 90 minutes, highlighting the game’s defensive nature and lack of creative spark. OptaJean noted on social media that the previous lowest xG total this season was 0.55, recorded in a match between Grenoble and Bastia.
Saint-Étienne, currently seeking a return to the top flight, finished 16th in Ligue 2 this season and entered the playoffs after a challenging campaign. They are hoping to regain their status as a Ligue 1 competitor, having been relegated at the end of the 2021-22 season. Nice, meanwhile, finished 11th in Ligue 1 and are aiming to secure their place in the league for another year.
The second leg will be played in Nice, where the team will look to capitalize on their home advantage and break the deadlock. The overall lack of chances in the first leg suggests a cautious approach may be taken by both sides, with the stakes high for promotion to Ligue 1. The result leaves the tie delicately poised, with both teams still having a chance to reach the top division.
