Carrots, mascot, Playstation, little anecdotes from the derby

• 1960, OL with an ASSE goalkeeper in their goals in the European Cup:

OL must face the Cologne club in the European Fairs Cup (ancestor of the UEFA Cup and then the Europa League, editor's note). The two goalkeepers of the Lyon club are unavailable. Aubour is in the selection and Hugues returns from injury, he is not sufficiently recovered. Incredibly these days, ASSE will respond favorably to the request of Lyon leaders by lending its goalkeeper, international Claude Abbes. Unfortunately he got injured and left at half-time while OL were leading (1-0). He is replaced by the number two goalkeeper, Hugues, greatly reduced, who will concede three goals after the break. (1-3).

• 1967, the Lyon carrot:

Jean Snella accuses the Lyon players of having, during a cup match lost by ASSE (0-2), “played the carrot” (editor's note, without taking the slightest risk). During the reunion at Geoffroy-Guichard, Lyon supporters bombarded the pitch before kick-off with around twenty kilos of carrots bought on the way. Without stopping, Georges Bereta picked one up and went to eat it in front of the stand where the Gones were.

• 1969, Greens in the French team with an OL jersey on their back:

France-Hungary at Gerland. The jerseys of the two teams are too similar. The French team borrows red tunics from Olympique Lyonnais. Four selected Stéphanois will therefore play in the colors of OL, Hervé Revelli, Georges Bereta, Jean-Michel Larqué and Bernard Bosquier. Final result (2-2), at the request of the Hungarians, this meeting will not be recognized as official.

• 1969, the first in history on TV:

For the first time a football match from the French championship is broadcast on TV. It will be the derby at Gerland. It won't be broadcast in full, only the second half, don't ask too much! A young beginner, Michel Drucker, will provide the commentary. A not entirely successful first. The kick-off was delayed because the key to the ASSE locker room had been lost. Salif Keita scored the first goal of the championship seen live by French viewers, victory for Saint-Etienne (2-1).

• 1971, Belote, defeat of the Greens (0-2):

Hello damage. Seven players injured during a “der-butchery”. Four Stéphanois, Sarramagna, Keita, Bereta and Larqué. Three Lyonnais. Defeat of the Greens (0-2).

• 1975, Rebelote, draw (1-1):

The blows are raining, it's a fight. The referee, Mr. Wurtz, is ill and almost faints. Janvion attacked will have to come out, Piazza wipes up spit. Patrick Revelli also comes out injured, ASSE finishes ten. Final score (1-1). Mr. Wurtz felt unwell after the match. Roger Rocher, very unhappy with the attitude of the Lyon staff, decided to double the bonus.

• 1978, the bad locker room:

Bernard Lacombe has just arrived at Saint-Étienne after nine seasons in the Lyon jersey. During the first leg at Gerland he went into the wrong locker room and entered the suburban one. No doubt uncomfortable that day, he will be non-existent during the meeting. Lyon victory (2-0)

• 1980, record attendance at Gerland

It's a shock at Gerland. Both teams are leading the championship. 48,552 paying people were present, which constituted, at the time, a record for D1, a record which would not be beaten until much later at the Stade de France. In reality, media and close observers claimed there were more than 55,000 people, some of whom were perched on the roofs of the stands or on the scoreboards. The panic was such that access to certain areas of the stands was free, no one was there to check the tickets. Ultimately disappointing match (0-0)

• 1990, a crazy and unexpected tackler during a friendly

Friendly match at Feurs: after the expulsion of Cabanas and Cyprien who had muffled themselves, the rush on the wing of Stéphanois Brockers is stopped by the angry tackle of a Lyon spectator no doubt worried to see his defense in danger. One everywhere at this moment of the meeting, in the end Lyon victory (1-2). Definitely the man of the match.

• 1991, chase with the OL mascot

Tony, the OL mascot, will be the main actor at the start of the 1991 derby. While the latter is performing his traditional tour of the field with his large OL flag and his red nose, two ASSE supporters enter the pitch. . One of them, Olive, capo of the Magic Fans who died of cancer several years ago (editor's note: The MF pay tribute to him every year and have since led actions in favor of the League against Cancer) manages to steal the flag near the corner of the field on the north turn side. A chase ensues on the field, with the OL mascot trying in vain to recover his property. Olive throws the flag over the gates of the yard. The latter is shredded before being burned.

• 1999, Lyonnais with ASSE shorts

On November 10, 1999, OL will play the derby in ASSE's white jersey and black shorts for the only time in history. The decision rests with Gilles Veissière, referee of the match. The Lyonnais played in the Greens' black training outfits. Too long for some, the Lyonnais will cut them in part just before entering the pitch. Final score (1-1).

• 2011, a Playsation story

After the first leg, lost by OL at Gerland (1-0), Jean-Michel Aulas addressed his club's supporters in anger and joked about the fact that ASSE could not play in the Champions League than on Playstation. The return match will give rise to an unusual scene at Geoffroy-Guichard since the Lyon president was given a game console in the first period while in Kop Nord, the MF91 displayed: “JMA: this gift in the name of the green people“. Aulas will make it a media affair declaring after the match won by the Lyonnais (1-4): “I was afraid it was a bomb and that it would explode. In the end, it was Saint-Étienne which exploded this evening.”

And what are your favorite derby stories?