Ligue 1 – 27th day
Thanks in particular to a first period of high flight and a double of its number 9, OL logically won the 120th derby in history (2-0). Despite a second act of better invoice, the situation becomes (very) perilous for the Saint-Etienne de Puel.
The lesson: Lyon wins with mastery
More than a derby, the two teams probably played their season in this match. On the one hand, a team that plays the maintenance, on the other a lifelong rival who tries to return to the race for Europe. In a one-way match, the Lyonnais come out victorious against Saint-Etienne (2-0). And with mastery! Opposite, the Stéphanois, cornered all the match or almost, could not hope for much. For this 120th derby, the Lyonnais approached this shock as it should be. With desire, impact, play and technique. In short, Lyon put all the ingredients to make a good match. The high and intense pressing constantly hampered the midfielder of ASSE, leaving only crumbs to Stéphanois during the first act. And when the latter had the leather between their feet, they used it badly, very badly. Like Loïs Diony’s failed shot that could have changed the game (9th). One of the few balls attacked by the attacker in this first period. Or badly controlled balloons from Denis Bouanga. But the Greens have above all suffered a real siege in their area. And by dint of suffering, the defense of Saint-Etienne ended up cracking. On Martin Terrier’s free kick, Moussa Dembélé, left surprisingly alone in the scoring by Yann M’Vila, perfectly captured the ball (28th). At 1-0, we thought that a reaction from Claude Puel’s men was going to intervene. Well no. Bruno Guimaraes and his family have on the contrary multiplied the opportunities (34th, 36th, 45th). In vain. At halftime, Lyon had possession of 78% to 22% for ASSE. That is to say…
2 – Moussa Dembélé is the first player from Lyon to achieve a double against St Etienne in Ligue 1 since Nabil Fékir on November 5, 2017. The 4 authors of a double (or more) in the derby in L1 in the 21st century are from Lyon ( Dembélé, Fekir, Lacazette and Juninho). Supremacy. pic.twitter.com/KKvxodUvZw
– OptaJean (@OptaJean) March 1, 2020
It is however with another face that the Greens disputed this second period. Failing to be dominant, the Stéphanois had the opportunities to return to the score. In ten minutes, Saint-Etienne was more dangerous than during the entire first period! With strikes from Diony (50th), Trauco (57th) and Bouanga (58th), in particular. But it would have taken much more to deceive an Anthony Lopes of the big nights. Like his exceptional stop on the Bouanga free kick (75th). Meanwhile, Lyon could have scored two more goals (65th, 81st), but the VAR decided otherwise. Finally, Dembélé offered himself a double thanks to a penalty transformed using a subtle panenka (90 + 5th). Mass was said. Lyon, which is chaining a third consecutive victory in all competitions, could breathe, while ASSE is still in 16th place, two points from the barragiste. The hour is serious for Saint-Etienne …
The winner: The Lyon midfielder
What about the Aouar-Guimaraes-Tousart trio? The three flew over this match, making the midfielder of Saint-Etienne disappear. Present on all the balloons, they did not let Stéphanois breathe in panic on numerous occasions. In just three games, it seems like Bruno Guimaraes already feels at home. He manages to sublimate the game of Lyonnais. Better still, he was behind almost all of his team’s occasions in this derby. Strongly following!
The loser: Yann M’vila, where are you?
Another bad performance from the former international, like his team. The midfielder was nonexistent. Guilty in particular on Dembélé’s goal, leaving him alone, free from any marking (28th). No impact, few balls played, Yann M’Vila disappeared from the radars. A service that raises questions for a player with so much experience.
Quentin Granet