With AS Saint-Etienne back in Ligue 1 this season, it’s time to relive one of the greatest derbies of our championship. The matches often explosive on and off the pitch. And this Sunday, Verts fans will not be able to make the trip to Groupama Stadium.. In their own arena and with their own fans, Les Gones are superior to their nemesis. Since 2000, Saint-Étienne have won just two of their 21 meetings with Lyon, drawing six and losing 13. Take a look back at the history of this unique rivalry.

Lyon’s biggest victory: 4-0 on April 30, 2006

That was 18 years ago. In their heyday, Lyon were already crowned French champions for the fifth time in a row before the match. As well as being Lyon’s biggest home victory over Saint-Étienne in the 21st century, April 30 2006 was also the biggest mass upset in derby history. With three days to go before the end of the season, Lyon are already preparing to celebrate their title at Gerland. Initiated by Sydney Govou and Sylvain Wiltord, the Gones decided to play their match with their faces painted and their hair colored in OL colors. “We hesitated before the warm-up, but in the end we all went out on the pitch like that. We took it all in our stride.” said the initiator. Total humiliation for the non-existent Verts, after a huge thrill at the start of the match (Gomis’s shot hitting the bar), OL surgically led by two goals before the break, causing the players on the bench to exult, spraying themselves with coloured bombs and streamers. In the second half, Juninho and Pedretti rounded off Lyon’s fine success.

Worst defeat: 0-1 on September 25, 2010

In the 21st century, Lyon have only lost two derbies to Les Verts, but this one will live long in the memory. In the 2010-2011 season, Lyon’s fortunes were in turmoil, and on the eve of a historic derby (the 100th match between the two teams in all competitions), they were in 17th place in the league, in contrast to their opponents who were Ligue 1 leaders at the time. To everyone’s surprise, the home side dominated the first half without ever scoring, but after the break the tension rose a notch, with eight yellow cards handed out.

Against the run of play, ASSE were awarded a free-kick, which Dimitri Payet fired perfectly past Lloris. The Tricolore had disgusted Lyon by saving a ball off his line late on. At the final whistle, the fans demanded the resignation of Claude Puel (OL’s coach at the time). And with good reason: it was Stéphano’s first victory at Gerland since 1993, and Olympique Lyonnais had fallen to 18th place in the standings. To calm things down, President Jean Michel Aulas addressed his ultras: “We lost to Saint-Étienne for the first time in sixteen years. We’re playing in the Champions League, while the Stéphanois are playing it on PlayStation.” A mythical phrase.

Most prolific: 3-2 on February 26, 2005

It’s not often that five goals are scored in a derby. But in this case, it’s the scenario that’s original. Lyon’s 3-2 victory in the 2004-2005 season seemed a foregone conclusion after the interval. Wiltord had opened the scoring just before the break, and as the second half got underway, Malouda and Frau thought they had sealed Lyon’s success. The home side tried to manage their lead, but Feindouno was the first to close the gap. With their backs to the wall, Les Gones conceded another goal before the end of the game through Lilian Compan. Compan, in his third season with Les Verts, was almost sent off afterwards. He was stretchered off after contact with Cris. It was a match that won him a place in the hearts of ASSE fans.

The last one at Gerland: 3-0 on November 8, 2015

This one could also go down as one of Lyon’s finest victories. For the sake of history and the last derby at Gerland, Les Rhodaniens needed to end on a high note. They may not have won the 100th title five years ago, but they needed to get back on track after three games without a league win. And they did. A success they owe to two men: Mathieu Valbuena, resplendent in his 150th Ligue 1 match, and Alexandre Lacazette. Criticized for his lack of efficiency last season, the General took three shots on target and scored…three goals. He finished the season with 21 goals. Les Gones left Gerland in style.

The first at Groupama Stadium: 2-0 on October 2, 2016

In a tense context, Lyon almost forgot the symbolism of this encounter. Beaten in the Champions League a few days earlier by Sevilla (0-1) and defeated three times in seven league games, OL took advantage of their victory over the Verts to regain their confidence.

Dominated for long minutes, Les Gones finally broke the deadlock before the break. After a fine individual display, Nabil Fekir set up Sergi Darder’s header, making the Spanish midfielder the first scorer in a derby at Parc OL (Groupama Stadium). In the second half, Algerian striker Rachid Ghezzal added to his side’s tally with a late strike.