Saint-Étienne facing an ambitious OL in a derby crucial for survival

Just a few hours from the start of the 126th derby between theASSE and the OL, Eirik Horneland unveiled its 11th start, a composition reworked due to four major absences. The absence of Augustine Boakye, still unavailable due to a persistent injury, is particularly detrimental to the offensive construction of Stéphanois, where its percussion was often decisive. Similarly, Pierre Cornud, absent from Brest, was unable to recover in time, forcing the staff to reorganize the left flank of the defence against the Lyon threat.

The suspension of Yvann Mason, accumulating three yellow cards in less than ten meetings, also led to tactical change. The left side leaves its place to Dennis Appiah, who is called to muzzle Rayan Cherki, a fearsome player for OL.

However, the drama of the evening is undoubtedly Benjamin Bouchouari’s wound on his back, which will prevent him from fighting this derby and could also affect him in future meetings.

OL, currently fourth in the championship with 51 points, arrive in this derby with a clear ambition: to obtain a direct qualification for the Champions League. Paulo Fonseca and his team are determined to win in the Chaudron, a hostile stadium that they have learned to control in recent seasons.

Opposite, Saint-Étienne is in a fierce struggle to maintain. Blocked at 24 points, the Greens no longer have the right to error against their historical rival. A success tonight would be more than just a feat; It would represent a turning point in a difficult season. The end of the season is expected to be stressful in the Forez, and the Le Havre calendar leaves a thin hope of hanging up a barrage, despite the mixed sensations encountered during meetings with Auxerre and Metz.