The context
The series have ended. Unbeaten at home and in 16 games, OL lost to Metz on the final day and lost their leadership position at the same time. This loss cannot call into question the work done by Lyon so far, however it is a reminder that the championship is still very long and that the margin for error is very low if the club is to achieve its goals. But what better way than a derby to forget about that bad moment and start over? Before such a match, the Lyon troops will undoubtedly be determined to beat their neighbor and bring back a smile to all the people of Lyon.
The challenge
Always within reach of first place, Rudi Garcia’s men can take over the throne of Ligue 1 in the event of victory and favorable results on other fields. By welcoming Montpellier at the opening of this day, PSG is perhaps the best off of the Lyonnais’ competitors, because Lille moves on the lawn of Rennes while Monaco receives Marseille. But before thinking about the results of the other teams, OL must think of their own match, because in the derby, victory is not an option and the 3 points would be, no matter what, an excellent accounting operation to consolidate his place in the top three and smell a little more the scent of the European Cup at the end of the season.
The adversary
Saint-Etienne also lost his last match, and their last victory dates back to 5 days, even worse the Stéphanois are looking for a success at home since September 12, 2020 and the second day of Ligue 1. With 4 points d ahead of the barrage, the Greens tend to look behind them more than in front. But as everyone knows, the derby is a separate game and the standings and forms of the moment are rarely reliable indicators for predicting the outcome of the match. Despite a Saint-Etienne workforce decimated by the Covid and surely again cut off from many players this Sunday, OL obviously cannot afford to take this match for granted and will have to show unwavering concentration to leave the Cauldron with the 3 points.