Like at a fair – there was everything at the “Geoffroy-Guichard”! Terrifying football, an atomic pace, chances, goals, and even fan rioting that caused the match to be suspended for 45 minutes. But that’s often the case when the Rhone-Alpes derby is played – the popular name for matches between Saint-Etienne and Lyon. This is one of the biggest rivalries in French football, and tonight it saw its 126th edition. Even though Lyon was the heavy favorite on paper, given the wide gap in the standings between them and Saint-Etienne, who are below the relegation line, it was once again proven that there are no favorites in derby matches. The Green team pulled off a crucial victory that keeps their survival hopes alive – 2:1.🚨 Les TIFOS des supporters de Saint-Étienne : MAGNIFIQUE !! 💚🤍🤩🤩( 📸 @Ligue1_ENG ) pic.twitter.com/lcRAgv2o19— Instant Foot ⚽️ (@lnstantFoot) April 20, 2025 Fan disturbances have become the norm in the French league over the past two seasons, and tonight, Saint-Etienne and Lyon players, as well as the referees, were victims of such incidents. It was the final minute of the first half when a firecracker landed on the pitch, and then an assistant referee was hit in the head with a coin. One of Europe’s most respected referees, Letexier, immediately sent both teams to the locker rooms, and for nearly 45 minutes – the maximum allowed – discussions were held about whether and under what conditions the match should continue. Eventually, the delegate decided to resume the match, which led to a bizarre scene, per the rules: after a 45-minute break, players returned to the pitch, played four minutes, and then went on a 15-minute halftime.Quelques photos ! St Etienne 1-0 Lyon à la mi-temps ! Grosse ambiance #ASSEOL pic.twitter.com/AkOGSp8rkw— 🏟️ Fab’Tyto🇧🇪 Stadium Tour (@FabTyto) April 20, 2025 Karma didn’t turn its back on Saint-Etienne. Even though their fans caused the incident and, from that angle, deserved for things to backfire, the Greens played one of their best matches of the season. They scored two goals, missed a few chances, withstood Lyon’s pressure – especially in the last 20 minutes – and came out victorious. The first goal was scored by Lucas Stassin in the 10th minute, and then he almost turned into a villain. How he didn’t, even he probably doesn’t know. He stepped on Tolisso and received a direct red card, but after reviewing the footage, referee Letexier changed it to a yellow. Who knows what would’ve happened if VAR hadn’t intervened. Because Stassin was also the executioner in the second goal for Saint-Etienne in the 67th minute. Tessmann managed to reduce Lyon’s deficit nine minutes later, but the Boys’ pressure afterward didn’t bear fruit. They were dealt a heavy blow in their fight for the Champions League.LIGUE 1 – MATCHDAY 30FridayRennes – Nantes 2-1 (1-0)/Truffert 23, Meite 86 – Mohamed 54/SaturdayPSG – Le Havre 2-1 (1-0)/Doue 8, Ramos 50 – Soumare 60/Monaco – Strasbourg 0-0Olympique Marseille – Montpellier 5-1 (1-0)/Greenwood 8(pen) 67, Bille (og) 60, Rowe 74, Rabiot 90 – Davin 83/SundayLille – Auxerre 3-1 (2-0)/Meunier 9, David 43, 90+7 – Ribeiro 90+2/Brest – Lens 1-3 (1-2)/Melou 13 – Koyalipou 17, Aynapoi (p) 45+7, Said 90/Nice – Angers 2-1 (1-0)/Rosario 36, Abdi 47 – Belkhdim 52/Reims – Toulous 1-0 (1-0)/Siebatcheu 39/Saint-Etienne – Olympique Lyon 2-1 (1-0)/Stassin 67, 10 – Tessmann 76/
