Balbir Questions Galtier’s Substitution Choices After Stalemate with Dnipro
By BBC News Staff
Denis Balbir, veteran French football commentator and long-time supporter of AS Saint-Étienne, has voiced his frustration over coach Christophe Galtier’s tactical decisions during Thursday night’s goalless draw against Ukrainian side Dnipro Dnipropetrovsk in the UEFA Europa League.
Writing in his post-match blog on Yahoo! Sport, Balbir — who was on commentary duty for the match broadcast on W9 — acknowledged the broader challenges facing Saint-Étienne, from a congested fixture list to key injuries. However, he did not hold back in questioning the lack of attacking ambition shown late in the match.
“This Friday, we’ll hear some say we need to keep things in perspective — the schedule, the injuries, and the fact that Saint-Étienne were facing a very average Dnipro team,” Balbir wrote. “And it’s true, Gradel was heroic. But when you have three points within reach and you don’t bring on a striker — even a young and inexperienced one — to try to win the match, you lose the right to complain later.”
Balbir’s comments appear to refer to Galtier’s decision not to introduce forward Allan Saint-Maximin, a player the commentator has championed in his past columns, particularly in But! Saint-Étienne, a publication dedicated to coverage of the club.
The 0-0 result leaves ASSE with work to do in the group stage of the competition, and while the team’s resilience was evident, questions remain about their ability to convert chances — or indeed create them — in key moments.
Saint-Étienne fans, while appreciative of the team’s defensive solidity, have echoed Balbir’s concerns in online forums, with many calling for greater boldness and trust in the club’s emerging talents, particularly in tight European contests.
Coach Galtier has yet to publicly respond to the criticism, but with domestic and continental fixtures piling up, selection choices and squad rotation will remain a hot topic at Geoffroy-Guichard.
Saint-Étienne’s next challenge will provide another test of their tactical mettle — and perhaps another chance for youth to stake its claim.
