Match Reports
Stassin the derby hero as Saint-Étienne stun OL
AS Saint-Étienne claimed bragging rights in the Rhône-Alpes derby for the first time in six years, defeating Olympique Lyonnais 2–1 in an emotionally charged affair at the Chaudron. Lucas Stassin was the match-winner, scoring a memorable brace in a game that was halted for nearly 45 minutes following crowd trouble.
Saint-Étienne took the lead inside ten minutes through Lucas Stassin, who capitalised on a lapse in Lyon’s marking to open the scoring with a cool finish past Remy Descamps (10'). But the forward quickly found himself at the heart of controversy: a studs-up challenge on Corentin Tolisso left the OL midfielder stretchered off with a suspected knee sprain.
The referee initially showed a red card, only for VAR to downgrade it to yellow. The match was then suspended in the 45th minute after trouble in the stands - the game eventually resumed to complete the final minutes of the first half.
Lyon fight back but fall short
Paulo Fonseca’s OL emerged for the second half with renewed intensity, dominating possession (60%) and attempting to take control: but it wouldn't be enough for Les Gones. Stassin again provided the killer blow for Les Verts. The Belgian striker curled in a sublime effort to double his tally, sending Geoffroy-Guichard into raptures (67').
Tanner Tessmann pulled one back for Lyon with a well-taken goal—his first for the club—ten minutes later, offering a glimmer of hope. OL laid siege to the Saint-Étienne box in the final minutes, with Maitland-Niles hitting the post and Mikautadze going close, but Les Verts held firm through committed defending and a massive collective effort.
As the final whistle blew, Saint-Étienne players and staff celebrated wildly, soaking in the noise of a raucous home crowd. Supporters mocked OL's recent Europa League collapse at Old Trafford, sporting shirts that read “Merci Maguire – 5-4” in reference to Lyon's dramatic extra-time defeat to Manchester United.
It was good news for the likes of fellow Champions League chasers Marseille, Monaco, and Strasbourg, with OL dropping to fifth behind OGC Nice on goal difference. For Sainté it's win which means everything, moving Les Verts level with Le Havre in the battle to stay up in the Ligue 1 McDonald's table.
Post-match Reaction
Lucas Stassin, unsurprisingly named man of the match, spoke of his joy to DAZN following the game. "Unbelievable! I'm so happy to give the fans what they deserve. We gave everything and the atmosphere tonight was incredible."
His teammate Aïmen Moueffek echoed the sentiment. "We knew how important this was. We stuck to our plan, and our desire was there from start to finish."
THE STAT - Stassin at the double
Lucas Stassin became the first St Etienne player to score at least two goals in a Ligue 1 McDonald's derby against Lyon since Etienne Mendy (also 2) on 6 April 1994.
