We meet once again ! Just inducted new coach of AS Saint-Etienne, Claude Puel, passed by Lyon between 2008 and 2011, replaced Ghislain Printant, thanked Friday after the bad start of the season of the Greens, 19th in the league standings. Ironically, Saint-Etienne and Lyonnais find themselves on Sunday as part of the ninth day of Ligue 1. And as much to say that the loser of this traditional and hot derby would suffer a blow on the back of the neck.
Greens on the precipice
Penultimate in the league after eight days, a point taken in two Europa League games, Saint-Etienne saw a start to the nightmare season, far from the goals of the beginning of the season. The eviction of Ghislain Printant seemed inevitable. The victory (0-1) in Nîmes last weekend has brought some calm in the locker room but the derby against Lyon could be a real trigger for the rest of the season.
Start or plunge into a deep crisis, the equation is simple for the Greens in a match where there will also be question of honor, facing the rival of Lyon, the enemy forever. If there is a victory that fans would particularly appreciate, this is it.
A victory but still doubts for Lyon
The situation remains delicate for Lyon and his coach Sylvinho. Despite the victory (0-2) in the Champions League last Wednesday against Lepizig, Lyon remain on seven games without a win in the league. OL is eleventh in the standings, just one point behind the St Etienne. The Brazilian coach is therefore under the spotlight, and always under the criticism. The situation is identical for Juninho, sports director and main actor of Sylvinho's coming for the coaching position.
Last Saturday after the defeat at home against Nantes, Jean-Michel Aulas had spoken about his Brazilian duet by stating: "It is necessary that Juninho is closer to chats, cloakroom.With Sylvinho, they must play the game total complementarity. " A defeat against the green rival would only reinforce the anger of the president ...
Puel and Lyon, a troubled end of history
Between bad financial situation and conflict with President Jean-Michel Aulas, the separation between Claude Puel and Olympique was agitated. A case that had even ended in the labor courts where Claude Puel claimed more than 6 million euros in compensation and damages for "breach of contract". Puel had been dismissed by the court.
Revanchard facing his former club or focused on the sports situation of AS Saint-Etienne, it is difficult to know in what state of mind Claude Puel addresses this derby. Often criticized during his stay in Lyon, Puel is however the only coach in history to have led OL in the semifinals of the Champions League.