Dall'Oglio before OL – ASSE: the derby is “a national event”

Olivier Dall'Oglio (Photo by Pascal GUYOT / AFP)

Like Pierre Sage, Olivier Dall'Oglio will experience his first derby, Sunday evening (8:45 p.m.). The ASSE coach is aware of the gap with OL, but intends to activate other resources.

Friday, Pierre Sage did not hide his enthusiasm at being able to experience his first derby on the OL bench. Although a native of the Jura, the coach considers himself a true Lyon since his arrival in the capital of Gaul in 1998. At Saint-Étienne, Olivier Dall'Oglio perhaps does not have this territorial connection in him. However, this does not prevent him from knowing the importance of such a meeting on the scale of the club and a city. Last Saturday, Greens supporters did not fail to remind the players and staff of this after the victory against Strasbourg. They will do the same this Saturday with training open to the public. “We've been talking about it for a while. Already, when the calendar came out this summer, I clearly understood that it was a date to check off, said Olivier Dall'Oglio at a press conference on Friday. The supporters remind us often, we can't forget.”

“Without a collective, we are nothing”

In this meeting which on paper favors OL, AS Saint-Etienne intends to play its card to the fullest. In any case, a derby cannot be played with the handbrake, a strategy which would ensure a loss at the end. Between OL, sixth, and the Greens, sixteenth, there is a world of difference. However, on Sunday (8:45 p.m.), the Stéphanois did not arrive defeated. “We must not forget that it remains a football match, there are points to be taken. There will be commitment, the guys will be there. It will unite the group even more and we need it. Because without a collective , we are nothing”. It's also an opportunity to showcase yourself, because, as Dall'Oglio reminded us 48 hours before the derby, the latter remains “a national event. The proof, we play on Sunday at 8:45 p.m., we take the place of PSG. There is a lot of interest in this match, it is well followed at the national level.”