Saint-Etienne Misses Opportunities at Lyon in Rhone-Alpes Return Match

The latest edition of the Rhone-Alpes Derby saw a 10-man Lyon defend their home turf with a 2-0 win over their bitter rivals from Saint Etienne. This marked the second time this week ASSE fell to the men from up the river, as they dropped the Coupe de la Ligue match 2-1 at home in the midweek.

Les Verts will be kicking themselves for not taking advantage of their opportunity to take some all important league points from this away match.

ASSE had to feel good about their chances before the match. They had given Lyon their last home loss in Ligue 1 play when now Lille winger Payet struck a wonderful free kick for a 1-0 win last season.

Lyon was also without the always dangerous duo of Michel Bastos and Lisandro Lopez to a thigh and ankle injuries. Things started out brightly for ASSE in this match as they seemed to come out with more passion than their rivals did. Defensively the men in green held Lyon’s attack in check for most of the first half.

On the offensive side, Saint Etienne had the better opportunities in the first half. The ever more dangerous Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang found the outside of the left post. On a season long loan from AC Milan, the 22-year-old Aubameyang has been a revelation for the ASSE attack this season. Paulao then missed with a fine header opportunity as ASSE looked to take the game by the throat.

Lyon’s only one true chance to score came just before the break as former ASSE hitman Bafetimbi Gomis went wide of the post from a good cross by Alexandre Lacazette.

After the break, fortune seemed to smile on Saint Etienne again as defender Mouhamadou Dabo, who came on for the injured Aly Cissokho, was sent off with a straight red for a high challenge just seven minutes off the break.

ASSE seemed in the driver's seat, but Lyon stepped up their play. Despite being down to 10 men, Lyon controlled the pace and was more direct in their attack. Ruffier was called into the action to make a fine stop on Lacazette, and getting a fingertip to stop Jimmy Briand from putting the homeside on top.

ASSE’s luck ran out 10 minutes from time after a deflected ball in front of goal fell to Jimmy Briand to head into the open net. Aubameyang looked sure to level the score a few minutes later, but Hugo Lloris showed why he is a world-class keeper with a fine save denying ASSE. The enigmatic Yoann Gourcuff killed off the game in injury time with a wonderful chip over the on rushing Stephane Ruffier.

The win provided Lyon with the much-needed three points as they try to keep in striking distance with leaders PSG. ASSE will no doubt be disappointed as all the elements to come out of Lyon with points were there for them to take advantage of.

It was not to be for the men in green as the 103rd edition of the Rhone-Alpes Derby went to Lyon. Another chapter in this heated rivalry is in the books, and Les Verts will have to wait until mid-March to try an exact some revenge.