Match Report: Metz 1-2 Lille

It was another vital match for Metz, who were hoping to continue a positive upturn in form in their bid to stay up in Ligue 1 Uber Eats – and with Le Havre’s draw against PSG last night, the home side were under pressure to perform. Meanwhile, Lille were looking to bounce back following a defeat to Monaco last week which harmed their Champions League chances.

Fonseca’s side began the match with the largest share of possession, threatening down the right side through Zhegrova and holding a grip in midfield via Benjamin André and Bentaleb. Yet the home side would be able to counter attack on occasion, leading to the hosts’ first penalty claim through Mikautadze which was waved away by referee Stephanie Frappart in the first five minutes.

A Kevin Van Den Kerkhof cross would then strike the arm of Bentaleb, and Frappart would point to the spot following a VAR check. None other than Mikautadze would step up to convert emphatically down the middle past Chevalier and to give Les Grenats a somewhat surprise lead against the run of play (23′). Van den Kerkhof would get involved again down the right side, testing Chevalier once more with a low strike on goal which was almost parried into the path of N’Doram.

Lille take back control before half-time

Les Dogues would get right back into the game via an unlikely source as Jonathan David played a one-two with Ismaily, the Brazilian finding the back of the net with a low finish past Oukidja (30′). Mikautadze was then sent through on goal, but the Georgian’s chip floated just over the bar. Lille went on to dominate the ball, and deservedly went ahead just before half-time with a clinically precise strike from Yacizi, after the ball was headed down to him by Diakité following Zhegovra‘s floated delivery into the box (44’).

The second half would be much more equal affair between the two sides, with Lille once more holding onto the ball and creating dangerous chances through David and Zhegovra once more. Metz would roll on the changes, but their main man Mikautadze continued despite fears of an injury. Paulo Fonseca’s side would see out the result as Lille rose to third place, despite a late scare when a Metz equaliser was ruled out for offside.