This week promises to be special for AS Saint-Étienne, who are preparing to return to the derby against Olympique Lyonnais after two seasons without this legendary clash. This Sunday at 8:45 p.m., the Greens will travel to Décines to challenge their best enemies, a meeting always under tension and awaited by supporters of both camps.
Dress rehearsal for OL
If ASSE was able to devote itself fully to its preparation this week, the Lyonnais had another challenge to take on. Indeed, OL traveled to Germany this Thursday evening to face Hoffenheim as part of the Europa Conference. Ranked tenth in their group before this meeting, the Lyonnais had a mixed start to the competition with two victories and one defeat in three European matches.
This trip to PreZero Arena represented an important test for Pierre Sage's men. Faced with a Hoffenheim team in difficulty – currently sixteenth in the Bundesliga with only two victories in nine days – the Lyonnais had the opportunity to make an impression while gaining confidence before the derby. Sage had also opted for significant turnover, aware of the importance of preserving its executives for the clash against ASSE.
Sage spins
Pierre Sage had chosen to rotate his squad, already anticipating the derby. The Lyon coach knew that preserving some of his executives could be crucial for the meeting against ASSE, a meeting on everyone's minds.
Composition of the OL: Descamps – Kumbedi – Mata – Omari – Caleta-Car – Abner – Caqueret – Tessman – Benhrama – Orban – Mikautadze.
After a first period clearly dominated by the German team, Hoffenheim logically took the advantage after returning from the locker room.
At the hour mark, Fofana, Cherki, Lacazette and Maitland-Niles enter. The effect is immediate. Abner concluded a great Lyon action and equalized in the 66th minute.
The two teams then go blow for blow. The Lyon goalkeeper will keep his team in the game by making several decisive saves. Alexandre Lacazette thought he would give OL a victory in stoppage time. But he was equalized in the process. A blow to the head for the Lyonnais.
Final score, 2-2. OL thought they would win. It was ultimately a deserved draw. The vast majority of the team which will probably be lined up this Sunday.
For their part, the Greens are approaching this derby with different pressure. At the bottom of the table in Ligue 1, ASSE is struggling to find its rhythm, and its coach, Olivier Dall'Oglio, finds himself regularly criticized for his choices. This derby could be a turning point in the season for the Stéphanois, who hope that a victory against their rivals will revive their momentum.
Sunday evening, supporters of both teams are hoping for a spectacle that lives up to the history of this legendary derby.
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