Olympique Lyonnais offered themselves a new derby at the Groupama Stadium against AS Saint-Étienne (1-0) thanks to the inevitable Alexandre Lacazette. The Greens still struggled defensively.
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The elusive Fofana
They went through hell. The Boakye-Maçon pair suffered the attacks of the new Gones X factor, Malick Fofana. The Belgian makes himself unsustainable in the first period with a series of breakthroughs on the left, dangerous crosses (15th, 18th) and blocked shots (27th, 34th). It is he who causes the decisive corner. In the second half he was OL’s most active player despite the drop in performance. Already the scorer of five goals this season, the former Gantoise player has definitively found his place in Lyon’s eleven.
The General at attention
Who else but Alexandre Lacazette to break the deadlock. The one we nicknamed the “General” allowed the Lyonnais to take the lead. In a position he knows well as a surface fox, the goalscorer took a header from Caleta-Car extended by Tolisso with his knee and scored the only goal of the match (28th). Without showing off too much, the French international could have opened the scoring a few minutes earlier (26th), but his low shot found the post. It is already his sixth derby goal and fifth of the season in all competitions.
Larsonneur unique in the world
If ASSE did not suffer another defeat it is above all thanks to goalkeeper and captain Gautier Larsonneur. The former Brestois player came close to the perfect match. Decisive from the first dangerous shots, he disgusted the Gones with his reflex saves (25th, 27th). He has nothing to complain about Lacazette’s goal. If his teammates didn’t raise their heads after the opening score, he stayed in his game. Offering several more saves (32nd, 45+2), he allowed the Greens to return to the locker room with a small goal behind them. Still solid in the second half, he did the irreparable in the 81st minute. Luckily his missed pass hit Mikautadze’s arm before Nuamah pushed the ball into the goal. An offensive hand that cancels the goal and allows the Oglio goalkeeper to remain on a nice personal note.
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The Green defense still on the streets
It’s starting to do a lot. As at the beginning of the season, the Greens are no longer behind it. Caught on each Lyon attack in the first half, they could have relived the Nice debacle. Fortunately, this time, ASSE did not take the eight thanks to their goalkeeper. Yet the full-backs had a bad evening. Too slow and too feverish, Yvann Maçon and Léo Pétrot often ran after their colleagues. In between, if Batubinsika provided a fairly decent performance with several good interventions (18th, 24th), Nade was not in the mix. With (already) 25 goals conceded in 11 games, only Montpellier is worse than Saint-Étienne behind (31 goals conceded).
Green with anger
In the 21st century, in his own backyard Lyon is the only king of Derby. Still no victory at the Groupama Stadium for the Greens, the last success dates back to 2014 at Gerland (2-1 victory). This Sunday, despite the clear dominance of Les Gones during the first act, there really was space. Sissoko even had the equalizing ball at his feet in a quick counterattack (75th). Terrible statistics since 2000 in 22 games played in Lyon, the Stéphanois have won only two games, drawn six and lost fourteen. Even more humiliating, Alexandre Lacazette has single-handedly won more Derbys in the 21st century than Saint-Étienne (7 vs. 6).
Interview between the Time.news Editor and Football Expert on the Recent Derby Match between Olympique Lyonnais and AS Saint-Étienne
Time.news Editor: Welcome to our special football segment! Today, we’re diving into the recent derby match where Olympique Lyonnais triumphed over AS Saint-Étienne 1-0. Joining us is renowned football expert, Dr. Emma Rousseau, to lend her insights. Emma, thank you for being with us today!
Dr. Emma Rousseau: Thank you for having me! It’s always great to discuss the influence and dynamics of such an intense rivalry.
Editor: The match had some thrilling moments, particularly from Alexandre Lacazette, who scored the only goal. As a player with such a rich history in derbies, how significant was his performance in this match?
Dr. Rousseau: Lacazette’s goal was, as always, a testament to his ability to be in the right place at the right time. His nickname, “The General,” couldn’t be more fitting. He displayed veteran poise, effectively breaking the deadlock with a well-placed header. This was his sixth goal in derby matches, signaling his status as a key player in these encounters.
Editor: Absolutely! His experience clearly shone through. But what about Lyon’s rising star, Malick Fofana? He seemed to be a constant threat throughout the game.
Dr. Rousseau: Indeed, Fofana’s performance was electrifying. His capability to penetrate defenses and create opportunities was crucial. The pressure he applied on the flank created several chances, and he was instrumental in earning the corner that led to the goal. His dynamic play is a reflection of how Lyon is evolving this season with promising talent.
Editor: On the other hand, AS Saint-Étienne faced challenges, particularly in defense. How do you assess their overall performance, and what does it indicate for their season ahead?
Dr. Rousseau: It’s evident that the Greens struggled defensively, which has been a recurring theme. Despite having a strong goalkeeper like Gautier Larsonneur, who made numerous crucial saves to keep his team in the game, the defensive lapses were troubling. Their inability to respond effectively after conceding the goal speaks to a lack of cohesion. They must shore up their defense if they want to turn their fortunes around this season.
Editor: Larsonneur’s performance did stand out, didn’t it? He seemed single-handedly responsible for keeping the scoreline respectable.
Dr. Rousseau: Definitely! Larsonneur was phenomenal. His reflexes and shot-stopping ability prevented what could have easily turned into a rout. That missed pass late in the game could have severely dampened his otherwise excellent performance. It highlights how pivotal goalkeepers are in matches, often being the last line of defense.
Editor: Looking ahead, what areas should both teams focus on after this match? Any specific strategies you think they should implement?
Dr. Rousseau: For Lyon, they should build on their attacking play, especially utilizing Fofana’s talents. Incorporating diverse attacking strategies could make them even more formidable. As for Saint-Étienne, they need to reassess their defensive structure. Working on communication and positioning will be vital, as a solid defense is critical if they want to compete effectively in the league.
Editor: Very insightful, Emma. Thanks for sharing your expertise with us today! It’s always great to dissect the nuances of such a captivating sport.
Dr. Rousseau: Thank you! I’m looking forward to seeing how the league progresses and witnessing the evolution of both these teams.
Editor: And there you have it, folks! An in-depth look at the derby match and the pathways ahead for Olympique Lyonnais and AS Saint-Étienne. Stay tuned for more football analysis at Time.news!
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End of Interview
