Since the creation of Groupama Stadium in 2016, AS Saint-Étienne has never managed to snatch a victory on the pitch of its historic rival, Olympique Lyonnais, during the Derby. In six matches in this new venue, the Greens have suffered five defeats and conceded a draw, a dark series which continues… These derbies, as disputed as they are lively, have left their mark in the minds of the players and supporters, with anecdotes and match facts that illustrate all the tension of one of the most emblematic rivalries in French football. A look back at these significant confrontations at Groupama Stadium, where Saint-Étienne still hopes to bring down Lyon, and why not this Sunday?
The first confrontation between the two clubs at Groupama Stadium, on October 2, 2016, set the tone! This meeting, expected by both camps, ended in a 2-0 defeat for Saint-Étienne. The Lyonnais, driven by a desire to inaugurate their new stadium with a bang against the Greens, won thanks to goals from Sergi Darder and Rachid Ghezzal. Saint-Étienne is struggling to find offensive solutions against a well-established Lyon defense. This first defeat launches a series of setbacks for ASSE on a pitch that remains cursed for ASSE to this day!
Mathieu Debuchy air-conditions the Groupama Stadium for his first Derby!
On February 25, 2018, during the 27th day of Ligue 1, Saint-Étienne achieved its best result to date at Groupama Stadium, snatching a 1-1 draw against the Lyonnais. The match, however, got off to a bad start for the Greens: in the 19th minute, Mariano Diaz opened the scoring for Lyon after eliminating Loïc Perrin with a shot taken from the chest followed by a point-blank shot, and put Saint-Étienne in a delicate position. However, the Stéphanois, determined not to leave empty-handed, maintained the pressure and continued to push in attack. In the final minutes of the match, Mathieu Debuchy, then recently arrived at the club, equalized and allowed his team to obtain a precious point. This draw snatched in the last seconds will be much more valuable than it seems for the rest of the championship. While Jean-Louis Gasset has just taken over the reins of the team, this draw marks the start of a climb up the rankings which will see the Greens finish the season in 7th place, on the verge of the European Cup.
Rafael's tantrum!
On November 23, 2018, ASSE returned to Groupama Stadium for the 14th day of Ligue 1. This time again, Lyon won by the smallest of scores, thanks to a goal from Jason Denayer in the 62nd minute. Beyond the score, we must remember Rafael's tantrum during this meeting: the OL right-back was sent off for an overly committed tackle on Yann M'Vila. A red card which reminds us, if necessary, that the Derby remains a special meeting, played under high tension. This fact of the game did not prevent OL from winning once again against ASSE with numerical superiority at the end of the match, but who did not manage to reverse the trend.
On March 1, 2020, Saint-Étienne travels again to try to break the series of defeats. Lyon won 2-0, with a quick goal from Moussa Dembélé in the first half, and a second goal at the very end of the match from a penalty. Despite a solid defense, the Greens gave in under pressure from Lyon. A frustrating encounter, but which perfectly illustrates the Greens' inability to exist far from their bases, in a decidedly cursed Groupama Stadium!
Tino Kadewere breaks ASSE's dream… and makes his own come true!
On November 8, 2020, Lyon won 2-1 against Saint-Étienne after a very competitive match, where the Stéphanois took the advantage in the 40th minute thanks to an own goal from Anthony Lopes. But in the second half, Lyon striker Tino Kadewere reversed the situation by scoring twice. His first goal, marked with a “madjer”, arrived in the 65th minute, and the second, nine minutes later, sealed Lyon's victory. For the little anecdote, Tino Kadewere confided during the “Téléfoot” program the very morning of the match that he dreamed that he would score two goals against Saint-Étienne, a wish which came true in the evening…
2022: a controversial Lyon banner before the Derby
The meeting of January 21, 2022, which ended in a 1-0 defeat for the Greens, is also marked by a controversial banner. Supporters of the “Lyon 1950” group display a banner at Groupama Stadium with the message: “Derby: they are dying… finish them off!”. A direct reference to the Ligue 1 ranking, where Saint-Étienne is in last position (and will eventually go down in the play-off against Auxerre). This message is reminiscent of a provocative banner from Saint-Etienne supporters in 2007, displayed at Geoffroy-Guichard and which read: “The hunt is on: kill them all!”with a caricature of the Lyonnais as animals. The response from Olympique Lyonnais was not long in coming: the club publicly condemned the banner, affirming that “no sporting rivalry can justify such comments”. On the field, Lyon won thanks to a goal from Moussa Dembélé in the 15th minute. Saint-Étienne fails to reverse the score.
On Sunday, ASSE will not show up with full confidence, despite its victory against Strasbourg last weekend. Only the reconstitution of a defensive base that is a priori more solid can give hope to the Green people. With Maçon and perhaps Cornud, the Stéphanois will still have a lot of difficulty against the Lyonnais putting up serious offensive arguments. A draw would already be an excellent result, and certainly beyond individual and collective talent, the state of mind could prove decisive. It is by being more determined, incisive and aggressive that ASSE won most of its Derbys at home. It now remains to achieve this at Groupama Stadium…
