In a thrilling Rhône-Alpes derby, AS Saint-Étienne emerged victorious against their bitter rivals Olympique Lyonnais, clinching a 2-1 win at the Stade Geoffroy-Guichard on Sunday. This marks the first time in six years that Saint-Étienne has claimed bragging rights in this fiercely contested matchup, fueled by an emotionally charged atmosphere and a dramatic series of events.
The match kicked off with a bang as Lucas Stassin opened the scoring for Saint-Étienne just ten minutes in. Taking advantage of a defensive lapse from Lyon, Stassin coolly slotted the ball past goalkeeper Remy Descamps to send the home crowd into raptures. However, the forward soon found himself at the center of controversy following a reckless challenge on Lyon's Corentin Tolisso, which left the midfielder stretchered off with a suspected knee sprain. Initially, Stassin was shown a red card, but after a VAR review, the decision was downgraded to a yellow card, allowing him to remain on the pitch.
As tensions flared, the game was abruptly halted in the 45th minute due to crowd trouble, with assistant referee Mehdi Rahmouni reported to have been struck by a projectile thrown from the stands. The interruption lasted nearly 45 minutes, as officials deliberated on whether to continue the match. Ultimately, play resumed after Rahmouni confirmed he was uninjured but dazed. Lyon fans had been banned from attending the match due to previous incidents, and the atmosphere in the stadium was already electric, exacerbated by prior threats of closure for Saint-Étienne's ground due to fan misconduct.
Upon resuming the second half, Lyon came out with renewed vigor, dominating possession but failing to convert their chances into goals. However, it was Stassin who struck again in the 67th minute, curling in a stunning effort to double Saint-Étienne's lead. The home crowd erupted as the Belgian forward celebrated his brace, marking a significant moment in the derby.
Lyon finally found a response in the 77th minute when Tanner Tessmann scored his first goal for the club, pulling one back and igniting hopes for a comeback. The visitors ramped up the pressure in the dying minutes, with Maitland-Niles hitting the post and Mikautadze coming close to equalizing. Yet, despite their relentless efforts, Saint-Étienne's defense held firm, securing a momentous victory.
As the final whistle blew, players and fans alike celebrated wildly, with the victory providing a much-needed boost in their battle against relegation. The win moved Saint-Étienne level on points with Le Havre, making it a crucial result in their quest to avoid dropping out of Ligue 1. In contrast, Lyon's defeat saw them slip to fifth place in the league, trailing behind OGC Nice on goal difference. This result was particularly disheartening for Lyon, who had recently suffered a dramatic Europa League exit at the hands of Manchester United, with fans mocking them with shirts that read “Merci Maguire – 5-4.”
Lucas Stassin, who was named man of the match, expressed his joy post-game, stating, "Unbelievable! I'm so happy to give the fans what they deserve. We gave everything and the atmosphere tonight was incredible." His teammate Aïmen Moueffek echoed this sentiment, emphasizing the importance of the match and the team's commitment to their game plan.
Historically, Stassin's performance was noteworthy as he became the first Saint-Étienne player to score at least two goals in a Ligue 1 derby against Lyon since Etienne Mendy achieved the same feat on April 6, 1994. The atmosphere at the Geoffroy-Guichard Stadium was electric, with an announced attendance of 40,372 fans, underscoring the significance of this rivalry.
As the Ligue 1 season progresses, the implications of this match are profound. Saint-Étienne's victory not only boosts their morale but also places them in a better position to fight for survival in the league. Meanwhile, Lyon must regroup quickly as they face the pressure of maintaining their Champions League aspirations against fierce competition from the likes of Marseille, Monaco, and Strasbourg.
This derby encapsulated everything that makes football so captivating: the drama, the passion, and the unpredictability. As both teams look ahead to their next fixtures, the stakes continue to rise in France's top flight, making every match a must-watch.
