After their opening round trashing by Rennes, Metz will be looking to bounce back when they host Marseille in the Ligue 1 on Friday. On the opening day of play, Les Grenats were humiliated 5-1 by Rennes. Their guests are looking to avenge a humiliating Champions League qualifying loss to Panathinaikos.
Preview (Metz vs Marseille)
The returning Metz went into the preseason with a solid 25-game unbeaten record in Ligue 2. They went through their six summer friendlies without losing a game. At Roazhon Park, both streaks were for nothing. Last Sunday, Youssef Maziz scored with just one minute remaining after Arnaud Kalimuendo of Rennes had opened the scoring. However, the onslaught began in the second half. Goals from Amine Gouiri and Jeremy Doku before a late Ibrahim Salah brace.
The only goal differential currently separates Metz from the other losing teams from last weekend. The teams include Lyon, Clermont, Lens, Nantes, and Reims. Only two teams will be automatically relegated to Ligue 2 after the league is reduced from 20 teams to 18. Stade Saint-Symphorien supporters have plenty of hope for survival. Metz lost to Rennes on the first day. It was their first defeat in a competitive or non-competitive match since losing to Lyon. They haven’t lost consecutive league games since September, but few are counting on that 11-month streak to continue here.
When Les Olympiens defeated Panathinaikos on Tuesday, Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang’s brace put Les Olympiens ahead 2-1 on the overall scoreboard. However, Fotis Ioannidis’ penalty kick in the ninth minute of stoppage time forced extra time and penalties, where Matteo Guendouzi erred and dropped Marseille to the Europa League group stage. Les Olympiens have conceded at least once in each of their last 11 competitive games, and Marseille manager Marcelino has little time to improve his team’s defense after that continental heartbreak. Last season, Les Olympiens lost their last three away Ligue 1 games to Lens, Lille, and relegated Ajaccio.
However, Marseille’s head-to-head record against Metz is encouraging, as Les Olympiens have gone unbeaten in their past seven Ligue 1 games against Les Grenats since a 1-0 setback in February 2017 at the Stade Saint-Symphorien when current Marseille attacker Ismaila Sarr was on the roster.
Team News
Similarly, Marseille’s medical facility is currently almost vacant despite the fact that teenage forward Francois-Regis Mughe missed the midweek match against Panathinaikos due to an ankle injury he suffered in the victory over Reims. Geoffrey Kondogbia’s return from a suspension by the European Union will give Marcelino a lift. The former Atletico Madrid player might replace Jordan Veretout in the middle with some fresh legs. The rotation this week may also benefit Amine Harit, Vitinha, and Leonardo Balerdi, as well as Guendouzi, despite the Frenchman’s disastrous penalty miss on Tuesday night.
Metz may be hopeful of a surprise outcome this Friday due to Marseille’s poor road record and persistent defensive issues. We wouldn’t rule out Boloni’s team extending the visitors’ stretch without a clean sheet. Although the hosts’ own defensive track record does not inspire confidence, a rested Marseille club should have no issue getting back on track to maintain its unblemished Ligue 1 record.
Metz 1 – 3 Marseille
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