On Sunday evening at 8:45 p.m., the Geoffroy-Guichard Stadium will host a particularly crucial derby between AS Saint-Étienne and Olympique Lyonnais, a game counting for the thirtieth day of Ligue 1. This meeting has a major stake for the Greens, who are currently ranked 17th and are struggling to keep them in first division. The appointment of the referee, François Letexier, gives rise to a mixture of hope and prudence, given his mixed record during the confrontations between the two teams and his positive influence on ASSE’s performance during the encounters he has already arbitrated this season, with two victories on the counter.

François Letexier, an arbiter recognized for managing important games, has already played twice for ASSE this season, contributing to notable successes. This season, he has also been designated for major matches such as the match go between Olympique de Marseille and Paris Saint-Germain, as well as the Lens-Reims match. His expertise is recognized internationally, as evidenced by his designation for the quarter-final return of the Champions League between Real Madrid and Arsenal. Nevertheless, the previous derbys were marked by suspense scenarios, with defeats and nulls achieved in the last moments, stressing the particular intensity of this regional shock.

Finally, the game is expected to be high-voltage, not only because of the stakes of maintaining the ASSE, but also because of the threat of suspension that weighs on several key players, notably Benjamin Bouchouari, Irvin Cardona and Maxime Bernauer. François Letexier will therefore have to show firmness and neutrality in order to avoid any contestation and allow the meeting to take place in the best conditions, the Stéphanois supporters hoping that the current positive trend with the referee continues and confirms the adage that “never two without three”.