Photo Credit: Étoile Sportive du Sahel Facebook
The latest edition of Tunisia’s biggest derby match, the Tunisian Classico, took place on Saturday between rivals Espérance ST and hosts Étoile du Sahel at the Stade Olympique de Sousse with serious implications for the 2022-23 Tunisia Ligue 1 Professionnelle championship stage. A physical and intense encounter ended with a scoreless draw, a result that favors current league leaders Étoile as they push for their first domestic league title since the 2015-16 campaign.
After early opportunities for both teams that included a disallowed goal for Espérance due to offsides, the match settled into a physical clash that featured few chances. Étoile were reduced to ten players when a review by the Video Assistant Referee ended with a red card to midfielder Soumaila Sidibé due to contact the Malian made with the face of EST midfielder Ghaith Ouahabi in the 73rd minute. The hosts held on for a point and remain six points ahead of their third placed rivals with only three matches remaining as they attempt to end a streak of six consecutive league titles for EST.
Étoile will be further pleased by the other result on Saturday, a 1-1 draw between US Monastir and second placed Club Africain. Abdelkader Boutiche gave Monastir the lead with a goal in the 70th minute but visitors Club Africain fought back to earn a point following an equalizer from Hamdi Labidi in the 85th minute. CA remain four points behind league leaders Étoile while Monastir are eight points back in fourth place.
Highlights from both matches are below following the scores and updated league standings.
Scores
Étoile du Sahel 0-0 Espérance ST
Club Africain 1-1 US Monastir
League Table
Highlights
Étoile du Sahel 0-0 Espérance ST
Club Africain 1-1 US Monastir
