AS Saint-Etienne is gearing up to face Lorient this Sunday in the 10th round of Ligue 1, with the possibility of Christophe Galtier including Ismaël Diomandé in the lineup. Despite a promising debut against Bastia, the 21-year-old Ivorian player couldn’t continue in the match against Monaco (1-2). Positioned as a competitor to Jérémy Clément, Diomandé acknowledges he still has progress to make.
“When you don’t get much playing time, it’s challenging to gauge your own level. This marks the first time in my career that I’ve played two matches as a starter. The coach has shown faith in me, and I strive to give my best to assist the team. I need to liberate myself even more to contribute further,” Diomandé explained on the club’s official website.
“I believe I’m on the right path, and my sole focus is to confirm my position. It’s my only obsession. I don’t want to settle for my current performance; I must continue working to advance. In football, age is not a barrier. If you perform well, you play. So, it’s my responsibility to excel on the field to establish myself in the team. Scoring for the first time as a professional brings great satisfaction and an added boost of confidence. It also underscores the importance of daring to score,” he added.
