Saint-Étienne-Lyon: A crucial derby for the Greens, OL under pressure
Saint-Étienne - The derby de la Beaujoire, this Sunday, promises to be a decisive match for Saint-Étienne’s future. The Nordic club, ranked 17th following a difficult season, welcomes Olympique Lyonnais in an electric atmosphere, hoping to relaunch its race towards maintenance. OL, on the other hand, is under pressure to win a place in the Champions League.
The Greens, in spite of an irregular course, demonstrated a ability to return to the race against renowned opponents, especially during their meeting against Brest. The inspiration of Lucas Stassin and the contribution of the attacker Irvin Cardona are key elements for the Stéphanois, who are preparing to face a major challenge. However, the absence of François Letexier, the goalkeeper, could seriously compromise the team’s chances.
The Olympique Lyonnais, for its part, is well positioned in the fourth position, but must continue its series of successes to secure a place in the Champions League. Competition is tough, with Marseille and Monaco competing for the top three places. OL’s last lost match, against CBCA on March 27, marks a break after a series of three consecutive victories.
“When you look at the dynamics, the forces involved, what the two teams proposed this season, there’s no picture. But be careful, a derby, it’s not playing, it’s winning. History has shown: no matter the form of the moment, no matter the ranking, it is a match with a tension, an electric atmosphere. There is this soul supplement that can rock the meeting, even for a team in difficulty,” says Eliot Rogliardo, journalist for “Progress”.
OL rely on the combativity of players like Ryan Cherki and Alexandre Lacazette to face the Greens. The atmosphere of the Geoffroy-Guichard Stadium, with a bar of the expected 40,000 spectators, will be a major asset for the Gones.
“The goal is to continue on this good series in the championship, stay in the rhythm and get as many points as possible,” says Rogliardo. For Saint-Étienne, this game may represent his last chance to recover, in a context where maintaining remains a top priority.