AS Saint-Etienne : Ligue 1. ASSE – OL: the Greens snatch a deserved draw after a crazy match | ASSE News

For the past two weeks, when the Greens went to see the fans at the final whistle, it was to calm their anger. Sunday, change of mood, they received congratulations and encouragement from the two kops. Admittedly, they are always last (in goal average) and have yet to win a game this season, but this point at the end of the derby end was celebrated as a victory. He can give hope for better days.

Columns in bursts …

Are the Greens angry with the posts? One would be tempted to say yes. In Monaco, ten days ago, they hit the amounts three times. On Sunday, they touched wood again, twice, but not the lucky one. The derby had started 9 minutes ago when Khazri, all alone receiving a dismissal from Lopes, sent his header to the Lyon post. The cage was empty. The goal is ready, wide open, as we say in such circumstances. In this case, we should not speak of lack of success but of clumsiness.

The turning point of the match? It’s hard to be sure with 80 minutes left to play, but it’s clear that an opener at that point in the game could have changed the face of the derby. Above all, it would have rewarded Green players, determined and up to the occasion. It was necessary that, Sunday, to compete with the opposing technical mastery.

… and rain of refused goals

The first half was like a game of table tennis, with the ball going from goal to goal. To the delight of viewers, the public and the guards who were able to stand out. Especially Green, author of several parades in front of Aouar (18th, 25th, 36th). The duel between the two men unfortunately ended up turning in favor of the Lyonnais just before the break (41st). The only false note in this exciting 123rd derby which was nothing short of a wet firecracker despite the heavy rain.

For 45 minutes, there had been everything: rhythm, opportunities, big defensive interventions (Moukoudi and especially Boateng in front of Khazri), goals denied for offside (two Lyon side, one Stéphanois side). And even a scuffle for a finger from Kolodziejczak in the eye of Paqueta (45 ‘).

Lopes expelled

Led at half-time, the Greens could regret their lack of efficiency and blame themselves for having badly negotiated some blocks. It didn’t really work out when we got back from the locker room. So much so that this Monday morning, Bouanga still has to mull over his golden opportunity in the 56th minute. Alone against Lopes, he lost the “one against one” which could have changed everything. Pulling out his hair. He had, at least, the merit of insisting.

A quarter of an hour later, the same Lopes illegally deprived him of a goal. While beaten, the Lyon goalkeeper stopped the ball with his hand outside the penalty area. Expulsion.

It didn’t take more to breathe life into this derby which had lost some. Gourna Douath had the equalizer at the end of the foot, his recovery was going to die on the bar of Pollersbeck (77 ‘).

The Greens could consider themselves cursed. Until Denayer’s hand in stoppage time, following a header from Krasso. Khazri did not shake to convert the penalty and give the Greens a more than deserved point.