On Sunday evening, the Geoffroy-Guichard Stadium will be the scene of a new edition of the most prestigious French derby, the opposition between AS Saint-Étienne and Olympique Lyonnais. Beyond the mere sporting competition, this confrontation embodies a historic rivalry, exacerbated by the result of the all-round match, a bitter defeat for the Stéphanois by a 1-0 score in favour of Lyon. The ASSE, faced with a struggle for the retention in League 1, is obliged to demonstrate its value and to meet the expectations of a fervent public, aware of the crucial importance of this meeting.

This derby transcends the framework of football to anchor itself in the cultural and identity heritage of both cities. Since the 1950s, the confrontation between Saint-Étienne, industrial bastion of Forez, and Lyon, a prosperous metropolis, has shaped a deep rivalry, symbolizing divergent trajectories but the same desire: never give in to his neighbour. Although Olympique Lyonnais has dominated global statistics since the early 2000s, the pride of the Greens remains intact, and the memory of the legendary victory of 7-1 in 1969 continues to hover over this rivalry, fuelling a thirst for inextinguishable revenge.

The opportunity of this meeting back, in front of a full Chaudron, offers the ASSE a chance to rebalance the situation and galvanize its supporters. With three points behind Le Havre, each point is valuable, but a win over Lyon would be invaluable, both sporting and symbolic. The game looks like a unique moment, when pride and honour take precedence over purely tactical considerations, and where the Green People aspire to a resounding success, symbol of hope in a season where maintenance is still possible. Rendez-vous is therefore set Sunday at 8:45 pm, the stadium is waiting, history continues.