The prestige success against Juventus Turin, last Wednesday in the Champions League, changed everything (1-0). Confidence, play, intensity, duplication, technical correctness. It's a whole different Lyon. Finally a Lyon at the height of what one can expect from the 2nd budget of France, the workforce of Ligue 1 the most armed to try to shake up on a match the big PSG.
That's good, OL-PSG, act 3 (PSG won the 2 league games this season 1-0 in Lyon and 4-2 in Paris) in the semi-finals of the Coupe de France, it's Wednesday. Before act 4 in the final of the League Cup on April 4. And there could be a match. In any case, Lyon has never been at this level this season.
Garcia finds the right formula
Rudi Garcia, like his unfortunate predecessor Sylvinho, has long groped this season. He finally seems to have found his good formula since the arrival in midfield of Bruno Guimaraes. The young Brazilian, 22, lives an express adaptation in the Rhône. Brilliant against Juve, he was still very good as a sentry against the neighbor Stéphane. And with him, Aouar also seems to be found in the midfield.
So yes, ASSE has long given the impression of being a simple sparring partner, so pale, so weak, especially during a very disturbing first period (26% possession of the ball only at half-time for the Greens). Before finally resume after the break. But during its last two outings in Ligue 1 at home, OL had been unable to put Amiens (0-0) and Strasbourg (1-1) in difficulty after two poor performances. Not here.
Again a collective, a coherent whole
Now there is again a collective, a team, a coherent whole. Able to beat the big Juve but also to clearly dominate a derby. But the Rhodaniens remain convalescent. As against Juve, they played scare in the second half. While the match should have been folded at the break after the 15th goal of the season by Moussa Dembélé (he scored his 16th penalty in overtime).
But OL, now 5th in Ligue 1 (seven points from the podium), and still involved in all competitions, offers a tempting end of the season. For the Greens, it will be necessary to tighten the buttocks. They continue to dive (16th place), with 9 losses in the last 11 league games and two small points ahead of the dam. It's urgent.
Lyon - Saint-Etienne 2-0
Referee: M.Schneider
Spectators: approximately 55,000
Goals. Lyon: Dembélé (27th, 90th + 6)
Warnings. Lyon: Dembélé (66th), Tousart (77th), Guimaraes (88th). Saint-Etienne: Debuchy (26th), Trauco (39th), Abi (77th), Kolodziejczak (90th + 5)
Lyon: Lopes - Dubois, Marcelo, Denayer, Marçal - Tousart, Guimaraes, Aouar (Rafael 84e) - Traoré, Dembélé, Terrier (Toko Ekambi 72e). Entr. : Garcia.
Saint-Etienne: Moulin - Debuchy, Fofana, Saliba, Kolodziejczak - Cabaye, M'vila, Trauco (Abi 70e) - Honorat (Boudebouz 79e), Diony, Bouanga. Entr. : Puel.