Grenoble Foot 38 coach Olivier Frapolli is demanding increased motivation from his players for the Alpine derby against FC Annecy this weekend. The match at the Stade des Alpes comes as GF38 sits 6th in Ligue 2 with 7 points from four games, five points behind leaders Saint-Étienne. The Grenoble-based club approaches this regional clash with a record of two wins, one draw, and one loss, and recent encouraging form (DLWW).
Olivier Frapolli shared his enthusiasm for this type of match with Grenoble Mag. "I love derbies, that was the case in Laval too." said the manager. He hopes the comprehensive 3-0 victory against Laval on the opening day will encourage supporters to fill the Stade des Alpes. For Frapolli, the key to serenity in Ligue 2 lies in consistent performances.
The Grenoble coach is relying on stability, wanting to replicate the setup that worked in Laval. He acknowledges, however, the well-known and effective playing style of FC Annecy, led by Laurent Guyot. The latter is beginning his sixth season at the helm of the Savoyard club. The two men know each other well, having collaborated within the DTN when Frapolli obtained his BEPF. They exchanged text messages recently following their latest encounters. Frapolli believes that "in the final hours before arriving at the stadium, this derby feeling takes up more space. It must bring us a supplement of soul."
Grenoble's team must deal with several major absences up front. Four attackers are unavailable: Lallias, Djitté, Cerri, and Zé Leite. Evans Maurin's situation adds to these offensive concerns. The departure of Diaby the week before this match also reduced the options. These absences complicate Frapolli's task in finding the right formula against an Annecy defence that has conceded four goals this season, compared to five scored by Grenoble. Supporters can check the full injury list on our injuries page.
The derby fits into the busy Ligue 2 schedule. After this match, Grenoble will travel to Guingamp, 11th in the table, on September 12, 2026. This away game will be another test for Frapolli's team. The journey of Annecy, today's opponent, will be just as decisive in the fight for survival or promotion. This weekend's confrontation therefore represents a stake that goes beyond the three points, with a strong regional psychological dimension.
Grenoble Foot 38's next challenge after the derby will be the match at Guingamp, scheduled for September 12, 2026.
