Metz-Marseille is a match of the second day of Ligue 1 and is played on Friday at 9 pm: statistics, probable formations, predictions.
Marseille’s season began with a truly bitter and unexpected disappointment: failure to qualify for the group stage of the Champions League. The team coached by Spaniard Marcelino last Tuesday failed to make a comeback in the return match with Panathinaikos, valid for the third preliminary round of the queen competition.
Surprisingly defeated in Greece (1-0), the Provençals were called upon to beat the Athens outfit by at least two goals: the mission seemed accomplished, but in the ninth minute of the second half’s added time came the icy shower of Ioannidis’ goal, which sent the match into extra time and finally to penalties, where former Arsenal midfielder Guendouzi’s mistake was fatal. Thus, the adventure of the Spanish coach, who took over from the resigning Igor Tudor, does not start on the right foot. In the continental arena, Marseille will restart from the Europa League rounds, while in the league Rongier and his teammates now go in search of redemption in the away match in Metz, with the goal of bringing home their second consecutive victory and remain on a full scoreline along with Rennes, Toulouse, Brest, Strasbourg and Monaco. In Ligue 1, in fact, the debut was positive: in the first round Marseille collected a comeback success against Reims: decisive goals by Ounahi, one of the protagonists of the last World Cup with Morocco, and former Braga Vitinha.
Inauspicious debut for Metz
The trip to Metz, despite the newly promoted side cashing a heavy 5-1 loss in Rennes last Sunday, may conceal some pitfalls.
Metz’s Tetteh
Les Grenats had come to Roazhon Park on the strength of an unbeaten streak that had lasted since last January – including pre-season friendlies – but after a balanced first half Lazlo Boloni’s team crumbled in the second half, collapsing under the blows of the Rossoneri. The Metz rearguard will likely be tested by the likes of Vitinha, Veretout and Aubameyang – the former Arsenal striker scored a brace against Panathinaikos – and with Marcelino able to count on the entire squad at his disposal. The Granata attack will instead rest on the shoulders of Mikautadze, while Tetteh, taken this market session from Hull City, will start from the bench.
The Prediction
In Rennes, Metz proved to be a brave and fearless team, challenging a superior opponent head-on but in the non-possession phase they made too many mistakes. Eager to forget as soon as possible the disappointment suffered in the Champions League preliminaries, Marseille should be able to get through in the city of the Grand Est in a match that will most likely give at least three goals overall.
The probable formations of Metz-Marseille
- METZ (4-2-3-1): Oukidja; Colin, Traoré, Candé, Kouao; Maiga, N’Doram; Sabaly, Camara, Maziz; Mikautadze.
- MARSIGLIA (4-4-2): Pau Lopez; Clauss, Mbemba, Balerdi, Renan Lodi; Sarr, Kondogbia, Rongier, Harit; Vitinha, Aubameyang.
POSSIBLE RESULT: 1-3
