Saint-Étienne Player Bitro: “Eight Goals from Nice is a Disgrace”

Saint-Étienne defender Leo Bitro, who was recently promoted to the French Ligue 1, described his team’s 8-0 loss to Nice on Friday as a “disgrace.”

The visitors’ disaster began with a fourth-minute own goal by Dylan Batubinsika, with Nice doubling their lead three minutes later. A brace from Youssoufa Moukoko helped Nice become the first team this century to score six goals in the first half of a Ligue 1 match.

Bitro, speaking to DAZN after Saint-Étienne’s fourth defeat in five league matches this season, said: “There’s no explanation. What we did was a disgrace. We should be ashamed of ourselves, our fans, and everything we did. To concede eight goals, not be mentally prepared, and not put up a fight, I don’t know what to say.”

The victory coincided with Nice’s celebrations of their 120th anniversary. Manager Franck Haise said the result would be etched in his memory forever.

“It’s rare to have games with such results, if ever,” Haise said amidst the celebrations at the Nice stadium, where his side earned their second win in five Ligue 1 matches.

Bitro added that Saint-Étienne would aim to recover quickly, with their next match against Nantes scheduled for September 29.

“We have 10 days to work hard… We’ll focus on the next game very soon,” he said.