First Rhone derby of the season ended with Olympique Lyonnais on top after a goal from http://www.senore.com/Football-soccer/Michel-Bastos-c25461 helped Les Gones to a win over AS Saint-Etienne at Stade Geoffroy-Guichard in the Week 16 of the 2012/2013 Ligue 1 campaign
The 105th Rhone derby came at the time when both Saint-Etienne and Lyon were in the top three. Lyon who were at the top of the table in the Week 16 of the Ligue 1, showed just why they have been touted as genuine title contenders this season along with the
likes of Paris Saint-Germain and http://www.senore.com/Football-soccer/Olympique-de-Marseille-c40127.
Les Verts’ hopes of registering a home win were crushed in the 65th minute when a powerful free-kick from Michel Bastos went past Stephane Ruffier. Christophe Galtier’s side was in tremendous form prior to that game and the defeat at home ended
their impressive 13-game unbeaten run in all competitions.
The hype prior to the derby was amazing with both sides claiming to be in better shape for this important fixture. Saint-Etienne coming on the back of couple of impressive wins over Paris Saint-Germain posed a great threat to Lyon, but the visitors continued
their impressive run in the league and winning the Rhone derby gave them an extra advantage in their quest for the Championelle.
The result was heartedly welcomed by Lyon boss, Remi Garde. The boss stated that all the hard work has finally started to pay off and OL on the right track. Being at the top of the table in December is a huge achievement for a side that lost a number of
key players before the start of the season.
A delighted Remi Garde told reporters after the match that winning the Rhone derby is a joyous occasion for everyone at the club and the fact that Olympique Lyonnais won it at Stade Geoffroy-Guichard, makes it even more important.
The Frenchman said that Lyon’s players are in right frame of mind and the likes of Bastos and Gourcuff are proving their worth. However, Garde is not getting carried away and has urged the players to continue their fine form in the upcoming games.
“Winning at the Geoffroy-Guichard is always a joyous occasion. My team worked really hard, we kept our shape and showed our mental strength. I knew that Bastos could prove useful to us out wide, especially as http://www.senore.com/Football-soccer/Yoann-Gourcuff-c37416 had put in a lot of work, and
from set-pieces. We've not created the gap and we won't get carried away. We're not thinking of the Parc des Princes yet.”
On the other hand, the Rhone derby didn’t bring much to Christophe Galtier, who saw his side suffer at the hands of the league leaders. Losing at home is always painful but to lose in a game of such magnitude, has hurt the coach to large extent. However,
the coach didn’t criticise his players after the defeat and urged them to get back to winning ways.
"We're disappointed. I don't think we deserved to lose even if our opponents were superior to us in several different departments. I can't criticise my players for their effort.”
The 105th Rhone derby ended in Lyon’s favour and that is a strong indication that http://www.senore.com/Football-soccer/Olympique-Lyonnais-c40130 are genuine title contenders this season, and are certain to rival other teams for the Ligue 1 crown.
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