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At [link="http://www.eurofootball.com"]EuroFootball.com[/link] portal - the column "Fans' Thoughts"! Before the most important, interesting, and highly anticipated matches, we talk to fans who passionately support the teams stepping into the arena.
Approaching the crucial clash between the teams of the French "Ligue 1," a 'green' forum member T-Wolves answered our 10 questions.
"EuroFootball.com": How did you start supporting "Saint-Etienne"? Have you been a fan of this club for a long time? What were the first 'greens' matches you watched, and what was the outcome?
T-Wolves: I started supporting "Saint-Etienne" in 2005. I noticed ASSE quite accidentally - while sitting in front of the TV, I was lucky enough to hit the ASSE - Lyon match. Unfortunately, "Les Verts" lost 2-3, but the match was intense and exciting, and I liked ASSE's game because of their fighting spirit and enthusiasm. "Saint-Etienne" fans looked impressive. That's how I became probably the only 'greens' fan in Lithuania.
"EuroFootball.com": Who is your all-time favorite "Saint-Etienne" player? What stands out from the current lineup?
T-Wolves: Undoubtedly Jeremie Janot. Just a phenomenal footballer. As a goalkeeper, he is very short (only 176 centimeters), but many world goalkeepers could envy his jump and reflexes. I respect him a lot because he has played his entire career for "Saint-Etienne" and never let the fans down. Earlier, I admired Pascal Feindouno because he stood out from other ASSE players with his talent.
From the current lineup, as I mentioned, Janot is my favorite. I could also mention Loic Perrin and Blaise Matuidi.
"EuroFootball.com": Your supported team is not very popular in Lithuania. Could you briefly review the latest "Saint-Etienne" news and inform the readers of the portal about them?
T-Wolves: The last two seasons were a real disappointment - we finished in just eighteenth place. This year, the game is very encouraging. At the beginning of the season, we rose to the first place, something that hadn't happened in 28 years. Unfortunately, we later stumbled, and I thought we would have to go back to where I was used to seeing my beloved team - the bottom. However, ASSE rallied, and somewhere from the month of December, the game returned to its own tracks, so I can only be happy with the current fifth place.
"EuroFootball.com": At the beginning of the season, the players of "Saint-Etienne" won the clash between these two clubs by a minimal score of 0-1. Can we expect a similar scenario today?
T-Wolves: To be honest, that time "Saint-Etienne" did not deserve to win. Lyon was clearly better, but, of course, we were to blame for not taking advantage of such opportunities, while the 'greens' only needed one fantastic Payet penalty kick to secure the first victory in the derby after a 16-year break. I think today's match will be more evenly matched than the first one. ASSE, in front of their own fans and facing tough opponents, will certainly not park the "bus," but that doesn't mean both teams, having spent a lot of energy, will start attacking recklessly. I guess the first half will be cautious, with both teams playing fairly conservatively, and in the second half, we can expect more attacks.
"EuroFootball.com": What factors will have the biggest impact on the outcome of Saturday's match?
T-Wolves: The biggest factor will be the home atmosphere. ASSE fans are always very loud and passionately support their own in every match, but during the derby, the roof should lift off. It is difficult to identify more factors because it is a derby, and ASSE - OL derbies are always very intense and unpredictable, even if one team is the championship leader and the other fights for survival.
"EuroFootball.com": Which players will play the most important role in the match?
T-Wolves: I think the goalkeepers. Janot is the best among veteran goalkeepers, while Lloris is the best among young goalkeepers. In such matches, the result can be decided by a single goal, and it is very important that both goalkeepers are fully focused.
There will also be no less of a battle in the middle of the field. Both Lyon and ASSE play with three midfielders, so the battle between them should be very intensive and fierce.
"EuroFootball.com": Is there a player in the opponent's camp that you would like to see wearing the 'greens' jersey? Which opponent's player do you dislike the most?
T-Wolves: I look at OL's lineup, and my mouth starts watering. They have top-level players, and undoubtedly some substitutes could be starting players for ASSE. If I had to choose, I would gladly take Miralem Pjanic. This Bosnian finds it hard to compete with Gourcuff, and "Saint-Etienne" club is currently lacking an attacking midfielder, so he should feel right at home with us. I would also love to see Aly Cissokho in green jerseys because the left-back position is one of the weakest links in the "Saint-Etienne" team.
"EuroFootball.com": What is your position regarding the "Lyon" club - positive or negative? Why?
T-Wolves: Only positive. I have a lot of respect for OL because they are the strongest French club of the past decade, successfully defending the "Ligue 1" honor in the UEFA Champions League. Jean-Michel Aulas has put together a fantastic team, and since the core is made up of young players, "Lyon" should not only maintain their positions but also improve them.
"EuroFootball.com": Have the club's goals in the French "Ligue 1" championship changed halfway through the season? What final result in this tournament would satisfy you?
T-Wolves: Despite the successful game, the club's management’s goal is still to survive in the league. I do not agree with such modest aims and hope that we can maintain our positions and qualify for the European league.
It's a pity that we were eliminated from the "Coupe de France" and "Coupe de la Ligue," and the only way to enter a European tournament is to finish no lower than fifth place in the league.
"EuroFootball.com": What will be the final result of the match? Who will score goals?
T-Wolves: I guess the match will end in a draw 1-1. Emmanuel Riviere will score for ASSE, and Lisandro Lopez will score for Lyon.
Luigi: What place will "Lyon" take this season in the French "Ligue 1" championship?
T-Wolves: I think they will finish in the top three. Rennes will not keep up, so the battle for a place in the Champions League should be between PSG, OM, OL, and Lille.
I wouldn't even want to think that "Lyon" will not participate in the Champions League.
"EuroFootball.com": Thank you for your time!
If you want to contribute to this column, write an email to [email protected] and don't forget to mention your supported team. We will definitely get in touch with you!
Read more at: "Saint Etienne" - "Lyon": Fans' Thoughts (Part II)
