“We’re taking PSG’s place, it’s beautiful!”

Before the most important match of the year against Olympique Lyonnais this weekend, Olivier Dall'Oglio appeared at a press conference to talk about this derby and all the special features that this match brings.

Pour Olivier Dall'Ogliothis derby between Olympique Lyonnais and AS Saint-Étienne is an event in the season in Ligue 1: “This derby is a national level event. You just have to see, we play on Sunday evening at 8:45 p.m., we take PSG's place (smile), it's beautiful! There is a lot of interest in this derby, it is an essential match for both clubs but also at national level, it is very followed.”

The Saint-Étienne coach obviously knew this particular match before signing for Saint-Étienne and even has memories of it: “What I remember from this match from an outside point of view is the enthusiasm. I particularly have in mind the bus departures from Saint-Étienne to go to Lyon with all the smoke bombs, with all the green will which accompanied the players. There really is an incredible state of mind at this event, that's what you feel from the outside and I think it's even stronger from the inside.“

As soon as the calendar is released, ODO understood the importance of a derby in a season: “It’s a match that we hear about as soon as the schedule comes out. I understood that this was the date to check off. We also often have little reminders from supporters who remind us of the date, sincerely, the derby, we cannot forget it.”

Olivier Dall'Oglio adds that he does not need to motivate his players much for such a display: “I think that motivation among the players happens on its own. There will also be a speech from me on this too but I will not emphasize too much on determination and commitment because it is natural. We know it, we worked on it during the week, we know what awaits us and what we want to use as ingredients. We have tomorrow left with the arrival of the supporters for the last training session, it's a very good thing.“