Fekir's tifo at Parc OL in the derby against ASSE (AFP)
After nearly a thousand days of waiting, the derby between OL and AS Saint-Etienne is back. The first round takes place this Sunday in Décines between the two best enemies in the French championship.
This time it's the big day! The wait was so long that the supporters had been impatient for some time now. The Europa League and the poor performance Hoffenheim Although they were there this week, the Lyonnais only had their eyes on this match: the derby is finally back! The last one dates back to January 21, 2022 with only 5,000 spectators and it has been more than a thousand days that Lyon and Saint-Etienne supporters have had to be patient.
Because if there is one thing on which both camps agree, it is this wait which was too long because of the descent of the Greens in Ligue 2. It is only a distant memory and this Sunday, November 10, 2024 marks the 125th clash between the two best enemies in French football. There is only one derby and without chauvinism, OL – ASSE has no competitor in this area.
Not playing the match before time
The meetings at Etrat and GOLTC on Saturday showed the anticipation that reigned around these regional reunions. This Sunday, there will inevitably be pressure and excitement, but we should not declare victory too quickly. On paper, theOL is more than favorite. But a derby is also played with the guts and the mind and the Greens intend to rely on these ingredients.
When Lacazette and Tolisso will rediscover the joys of these clashes against Saint-ÉtiennePierre Sage will experience his first derby on the professional bench. If he's more of the reserved type when it comes to his emotions, the atmosphere doesn't leave him indifferent either. “Today, I am a pure Lyonnais, imbued with this culture. I look forward to playing every match, but this one in particular. I have been a Lyonnais for 26 years.”
