For the Stéphanois, as for the Lyonnais, this match is a question of pride and identity. For decades, AS Saint-Étienne and Olympique Lyonnais have maintained this rivalry, marked by the historical, social and cultural differences of their respective cities. Saint-Étienne, with its working-class and industrial past, is opposed to Lyon, a bourgeois and commercial city. This contrast has nourished the spirit of the Derby, which now goes beyond the simple framework of football.
Moueffek will “play for a whole city” !
As Aïmen Moueffek, ASSE midfielder, reminds us, this match is an affair of the heart: “For me, it's much more than a match. Playing against Lyon means defending the colors of an entire city, of an entire community that breathes Green.” Words that translate the passion that drives every Stéphanois as the Derby approaches. It is not just a question of points, but of defense and representation of a strong identity, forged in history and in sweat.
In the streets of Saint-Étienne, tension and excitement skyrocket every Derby. Supporters, families, children: everyone is waiting for this moment, even those who don't necessarily follow football throughout the year. This match is an excuse to get together, to vibrate together, and to remind the Lyonnais that Saint-Étienne remains a bastion of French football. Lyon, as Roger Rocher, legendary ex-president of ASSE, said, is it not the suburb of St-Etienne when it comes to football?
Make the supporters proud!
The atmosphere that reigns during the Derbys remains a unique moment for those involved in the meeting, such as Moueffek, who evokes the support of the public: “When we enter the pitch for this kind of match, we feel an incredible energy. We know that we are playing for something bigger, for generations of supporters who push us.”
For the players, this confrontation is also an opportunity to restore their pride to the supporters. They know that the Green People expect total commitment and unfailing determination from them. “We want to make the Cauldron proud, give the supporters what they deserve. It’s the moment to show what it means to be from Saint-Etienne, to fight to the end, for these colors that have inspired us since the beginning. 'childhood,” says Moueffek. Each gesture, each action takes on a particular meaning: a tackle, a successful pass, a goal scored are all small victories that resonate well beyond the pitch.
Derby: After words, it’s time to act!
The Derby is a heritage, a tradition that unites the green community. In a sometimes difficult context, Saint-Étienne finds in this rivalry a way to sublimate itself, to reaffirm its pride, and to show that here, the passion for football is different. In any case, very different from that which animates neighboring Lyon…
This Sunday evening, when the kick-off is given, the people of Saint-Etienne will only want one thing: to see their players fight with all their heart, so that the green colors shine once again brighter than those of their neighbor. Now, after the words of Aïmen Moueffek, it’s time to act!
