© EuroFootball.com
At the portal "EuroFootball.com" - the section "Fans' Thoughts"! Before the most important, interesting, and high-profile matches, we speak to the fans who are passionate about the teams stepping into the battle.
As the crucial clash in the French "Ligue 1" approaches between and teams, one dedicated forum member Luigi agreed to answer our 10 questions.
"EuroFootball.com": How did you start supporting "Lyon"? Have you been a fan of this club for a long time? What were the first 'Lions' matches you watched and what was the result?
Luigi: It's not easy to say exactly when I started supporting Lyon because it happened gradually. I got hooked during European tournaments when the 'Lions' started regularly competing in the Champions League. The times of Jacques Santini. He was the coach who laid the foundation for Lyon as they climbed into the French elite.
The first match I watched was in 1999, a UEFA Cup match where OL played against Glasgow "Celtic". Lyon won 1-0 after Serge Blanco (the team captain at the time) scored. Those matches were memorable for their fast pace and attacking football. That's all a young football fan needs. Since then, I have tried my best to follow Lyon's results.
"EuroFootball.com": Who is your favorite Lyon player of all time? What would you highlight from the current squad?
Luigi: Juninho Pernambucano. Because of his ability to almost perfectly execute set pieces every time and find original solutions on the field. He was an unscripted leader, the kind that Lyon still lacks.
From the current squad, I would mention Lisandro Lopez. The most expensive purchase for the club, but even when things aren't going well for him, you can see that the Argentine gives his all. If we talk about stability, then my vote goes to the team's goalkeeper Hugo Lloris.
"EuroFootball.com": Your supported team is not very popular in Lithuania. Could you briefly review the most current Lyon news and inform the readers of the portal about them?
Luigi: Lyon is the richest French football club, even though 15 years ago, they were just an average Ligue 1 team. Their neat transfer policy, the enthusiastic president who loves football, and the active development of young players have helped Lyon climb to the top of the culinary city. From 2004 to 2009 alone, the 'Lions' earned about 150 million euros from player sales, and their results have remained stable.
The club's management has two main goals: to build a new 60,000-seater stadium, which should be completed in 2014, and to win the Champions League in the near future.
"EuroFootball.com": At the beginning of the season, these two teams' encounter was won by "Saint-Etienne" players with a minimal score of 0-1. Can we expect a similar scenario today?
Luigi: The difference now is that the derby will be on the opponent's field. The 'Lions' have not lost at the 'Geoffroy-Guichard' stadium in 10 matches, and the 'Greens' last celebrated a victory in front of their own fans in 1994. The OL's form was poor at the start of the season, while ASSE was achieving victories. The first match was in the hosts' favor, but when you don't score, you get scored on.
It's hard to predict a possible scenario - the current Lyon team is vulnerable and fluctuating. All I know is that we can expect fierce, physical football and a battle in every meter. And I don't believe there will be many goals.
"EuroFootball.com": What factors will have the biggest impact on the outcome of Saturday's match?
Luigi: Speaking from Lyon's standpoint - safe play. The flanks do the most work, while the midfield often remains unfulfilled. I look forward to a better sporting form from Gourcuff. There is a lack of originality, sharpness, and precision. You can't win with slow, positional football.
And the 'Greens' need to avoid fast counterattacks and catch the main engine of their attacks - Sako and Payet.
"EuroFootball.com": Which players will play the most important roles in the match?
Luigi: I already mentioned Gourcuff. If he shines, the team will be "on fire." It's important to see how Lisandro performs because he hasn't scored a goal since the New Year, and that affects a striker psychologically. And, of course, the central defenders duo - Cris and Lovren, as Diakhate is suspended for this match. The 'Lions' defense is not the most reliable this season.
"EuroFootball.com": Is there a player in the opponents' camp that you would like to see in a 'Lyon' jersey? Which opponent's player do you dislike the most?
Luigi: At the beginning of the season, I would have said Payet, but later his form dropped, and it turned out that even in the middle of the season, he is easily swayed by money and glory. Among the current faces, Matuidi and goalkeeper Janot stand out. But these are positions that Lyon doesn't need to strengthen.
I don't have any dislikes.
"EuroFootball.com": What is your position regarding the "Saint-Etienne" club - positive or negative? Why?
Luigi: Positive. Although theoretically ASSE is Lyon's biggest rival on the football field, I don't feel any animosity towards the 'Greens.' Maybe I need to live in Lyon to really understand what it means to hate. I have always been a fan of French football, so "Saint-Etienne's" affairs are equally interesting and important to me as those of other "Ligue 1" teams.
"EuroFootball.com": Have the club's goals changed in the French "Ligue 1" championship and the UEFA Champions League halfway through the season? What final results in these tournaments would satisfy you?
Luigi: I don't know what the club's goals are in the Champions League campaign, but in the French championship, the talk and thoughts are still about the title. With the current form, it's becoming harder for me to dream about it, although Ligue 1 clubs do not have great stability. To become a champion here, you can collect significantly fewer points than in Spain or England.
Winning the French title after a three-year hiatus would be damn good, and in the Champions League, if it's lost to Real Madrid, there's nothing to blame. The opponent is very powerful, and winning streaks are not eternal...
"EuroFootball.com": What will be the final result of the match? Who will score goals?
Luigi: I don't like to engage in oracle abilities, but I think about a draw or a minimal Lyon victory. Somehow I don't expect the 'Lions' to play poorly for the fourth game in a row. That would be too much for the fans. The derby is the right time to bounce back and move forward. Let Lisandro score, but I would like Gomis to stand out. That would be sweeter...
T-Wolves: Do you believe in "Saint-Etienne's" chances of entering the UEFA Europa League tournament?
Luigi: If ASSE's form improves and things go back on track with Payet, then interesting races for European spots are on the horizon. The main competitor should be the "Rennes" team. However, the latter is less volatile, so I would give them more chances.
ASSE is one of the most prestigious French clubs with passionate fans, so, in my opinion, European tournaments are obligatory for such a team!
"EuroFootball.com": Thank you for your time!
If you want to contribute to this section, write an email to [email protected] and don't forget to mention your supported team. We will definitely contact you!
Read more: "Saint Etienne" - "Lyon": fans' thoughts (Part I)
