Derby en Tension : Saint-Étienne Welcome Lyon in a Multiple Issues Shock

Saint-Étienne 20/04/2025 to 20:45 – Geoffroy-Guichard Stadium

The 30th day of Ligue 1 will be electric this Sunday 20 April 2025 with the shock between Saint-Étienne and Olympique Lyonnais. A derby with multiple stakes, where Stéphanois survival and the Lyon European quest will cross.

Situation of Teams

The Greens, currently in difficulty with only 24 points and in 17th place, flirt dangerously with the relegation zone. Their recent series of five defeats and two draws shows a porous defence (14 goals conceded) and a barely effective attack (6 goals scored). The absence of B. Bouchouri, A. Boakye and Y. Macon, all injured, does not help them.

Olympique Lyonnais finished fourth with 51 points. Despite a painful elimination in the Europa League against Manchester United, the men of Paulo Fonseca remain determined to consolidate their place in European competitions. The club, seven times the champion of France, cannot afford to lose sight of its main objective.

Strategy and Turnover

Paulo Fonseca has clearly identified priorities. After the difficult 120 minutes in Manchester, a mandatory turnover is planned against Saint-Étienne. The absence of Lucas Perrier and Nemanja Matic leaves him no choice. OL’s eleven in Geoffroy-Guichard will therefore be different from the one aligned against Manchester United.

The Portuguese coach selected a group of 21 players, including young Mathys from Carvalho, Yacine Chaibou and Jérémy Mounsesse, who will participate in the training. The 2000 Lyon supporters present at the last meeting will also have an important role to play in reminding us that the elimination in the Europa League has not changed anything.

A Derby beyond the Simple Match

This derby, more than just opposition, is a key moment for both clubs. For Saint-Étienne, it is an opportunity to break the Lyon hegemony and restore hope. For OL, it is a test of resilience after a European disappointment and an opportunity to project towards the Champions League.

Despite mental and physical recovery concerns, Paulo Fonseca insists on the need for action. “We don’t have time to be depressed or to cry. We have to react.” The presence of players like Alexandre Lacazette, Corentin Tolisso and Cherki, as well as the support of young players, are all factors that could bring luck to OL.

In the end, this game promises to be an intense show, where passion, pride and the will to win will confront each other on the lawn of the Geoffroy-Guichard Stadium. The future will tell us whether the Lyons will succeed in defeating the Stéphanois traps and getting closer to their European objective.