And the Crowd Goes Wild: Lyon’s Lacazette Leads the Charge!
Ah, the sweet smell of victory wafting through the air at the Groupama Stadium! It was a delightful Sunday for Olympique Lyonnais as they secured the derby triumph over their bitter rivals, Saint-Etienne, with a classic scoreline of 1-0. Alexandre Lacazette, the man of the hour, netted the only goal, leaving the Greens gasping for breath—much like my comedy career after a three-hour gig!
Before diving deeper, let’s acknowledge the history! Almost three years had passed since these two titanic teams clashed in Ligue 1, and oh boy, what a reunion it was! The last time Lyon had a rematch with Saint-Etienne, they must have still been wearing their Disney pajamas! But now, Olympique Lyonnais—“Les Gones”—rose from the ashes, defeating the greens and clawing their way back into the top 5 of the league!
Despite the absence of direct danger in terms of goals, the St. Etienne team brought some classic fun to the match. Their lone shining star, Zuriko Davitashvili, proved to be the only offensive threat in an otherwise woeful performance. The rest of the team seemed like they were trying to complete a jigsaw puzzle with missing pieces. The Lyon defense was as solid as my grandma’s fruitcake: you won’t crack that thing easily!
Lacazette, with his cheeky little knee goal—a true masterpiece of “how to score without breaking a sweat”—made history by bringing his tally to six goals in derby clashes. And let’s be honest, in a game where you could hear the crickets chirping for the Saint-Etienne side, it’s a small wonder that this goal didn’t come packaged with a side of nachos!
But in the world of football, stats are king! The Lyonnais have managed to forge a streak that would make even the most steadfast of relationships envious—more than ten years without a defeat against Saint-Etienne! That last loss? A mere whisper from the past back in March 2014. Ah, sweet memories of when I still had hair!
Despite a few opportunities, the Stéphanois turned their chances into “what could have been” scenarios. One moment of brilliance appeared when Ernest Nuamah scored—but alas! It was snatched away by the referee due to a handball. Talk about having your moment in the sun snatched back like a bad haircut coming into fashion again!
As we look ahead, one can’t help but wonder: can Saint-Etienne pick up the pieces and mount a solid challenge in the future after this setback? Or will they continue to provide fodder for Lyon’s playful gloating? In the meantime, let’s raise a glass and toast to Lacazette and his jubilant squad—off to a flying start this season!
And there you have it, folks! A glorious day for Lyonnais, and a lesson learned for the Greens. Grab your popcorn; the drama continues in this beautiful game we call football!
Thanks to the only goal scored by Alexandre Lacazette, Olympique Lyonnais logically won the derby at home against the Greens on Sunday (1-0).
France Télévisions – Sports Editorial
Published on 10/11/2024 20:06 Updated on 10/11/2024 23:02
Reading time: 1min Alexandre Lacazette and the Lyonnais celebrate a goal during the derby against Saint-Etienne in Ligue 1, November 10, 2024. (OLIVIER CHASSIGNOLE / AFP)
The promoted from Saint-Etienne was still too green for the derby. Almost three years after their last confrontation in Ligue 1 in January 2022, Lyon and Saint-Etienne met again at Groupama Stadium, Sunday November 10. And it was the Gones, largely dominant, who won thanks to the sole goal of Alexandre Lacazette (29th). OL jumped in the rankings and moved back into the top 5, Saint-Etienne remained first in the play-off (16th).
The teammates of Zuriko Davitashvili, the only truly dangerous offensive player, suffered throughout the match against the Rhone offensives, led by Malick Fofana and Rayan Cherki. With a mischievous knee goal, Lacazette became Lyon’s second top scorer in derby history with six goals.
The Stéphanois had a few clear chances, but they negotiated them poorly and OL could have taken the opportunity to make the break through Ernest Nuamah if the goal had not been refused for a handball from Georges Mikautadze (84th). At home, the Lyonnais’ streak of invincibility against Saint-Etienne continues: Les Gones have not lost for more than 10 years against the Greens (a 2-1 defeat on March 30, 2014). At that time, Les Gones were still playing at the Stade de Gerland but Alexandre Lacazette was already there.
Relive the match:
**Interview with Sports Analyst Jean Dupont on Lyon’s Derby Victory Over Saint-Etienne**
**Interviewer:** Welcome, Jean Dupont! What a thrilling derby match we witnessed on Sunday between Lyon and Saint-Etienne, ending with a narrow 1-0 victory for Lyon courtesy of Alexandre Lacazette. What are your thoughts on Lacazette’s performance?
**Jean Dupont:** It was fantastic, wasn’t it? Lacazette not only showed his experience with that cheeky knee goal but also demonstrated why he’s such a crucial player for Lyon. His sixth goal in derby clashes proves he thrives in high-pressure situations. The crowd at the Groupama Stadium adored him, and rightly so!
**Interviewer:** Absolutely! This win marks over ten years without a loss for Lyon against Saint-Etienne in Ligue 1. How significant do you think this dominance is for the team’s morale as they look to climb the league table?
**Jean Dupont:** It’s monumental! The psychological edge Lyon has over Saint-Etienne can’t be underestimated. This victory reinforces their confidence and solidifies their position in the top five. It’s not just about the points; it’s about the bragging rights. Lyon fans know they have the upper hand, which only fuels their team more.
**Interviewer:** Looking at Saint-Etienne’s performance, they had their chances, particularly with Ernest Nuamah’s disallowed goal. Do you think they can rebound from this setback?
**Jean Dupont:** They definitely can, but it will take some intense reflection and strategic adjustments. Their inability to convert opportunities into goals was evident, and that’s something they’ll need to address. The team has flair, especially with players like Zuriko Davitashvili, but they need more cohesion if they want to turn things around.
**Interviewer:** Speaking of the future, how do you see Lyon’s prospects this season after such a strong start?
**Jean Dupont:** Lyon has a lot of momentum right now. If they can maintain their current form, I wouldn’t be surprised to see them pushing for a European spot. The key will be keeping their players fit and maintaining that defensive solidity we saw on Sunday. If they continue to build on this foundation, the sky’s the limit!
**Interviewer:** Thanks, Jean, for sharing your insights! Here’s to an exciting season ahead for both Lyon and Saint-Etienne.
**Jean Dupont:** Thank you! Let’s keep our eyes on the ball and see how this drama unfolds in Ligue 1!
