It was a diminished FC Metz who traveled this Saturday evening to Corsica to face Sporting Club de Bastia there on behalf of the ninth day of Ligue 2. The Grenats once again made a mistake and bowed 1-0.
After a Monday evening match that will go down in the annals of Ligue 2, FC Metz went to Stade Armand Cesari to challenge SC Bastia. The Garnets had to react despite the suspensions et un feuilleton Fabien Centonze who never stops talkingr.
Despite the absence of the usual two guards (Oukidja et Caillard), Ousmane Ba started in goal. Fabien Centonze made his return to the starting lineup in Metz despite tensions with management. He accompanied Ismael Traore, Matthew Howl et Fali Cande in defence. Joseph N’Duquidi took his place in midfield in the absence of Danley Jean Jacques. Habib Maiga et Youssef Maziz were the accomplices of the young garnet of 17 years. The attack consisted ofAblie Jallow, Lamine Gueye et Georges Mikautadze.
Garnets in diesel mode
Sporting dominated the start of the game and were rewarded. On a center of Miguel Alfarela, Sebastien Salles-Lamonge opened the scoring for Bastia after ten minutes of play (1-0). The Messina defense had been struggling against Bastia’s attacks since the start of the game. Launched deep, Georges Mikautadze stumbled over the Corsican goalkeeper. It was Messi’s first opportunity of the match (20th). However, the Garnets faced a solid defensive block from Bastia. In the last quarter of an hour of the first half, the Garnets got several chances with Don’t miss it with the wand. However, Furiani’s Lions were ahead at the break despite an awakening from the Messina attack.
FC Metz without a solution
Upon returning from the locker room, the players of Regis Brouard got themselves a good opportunity with a shot at the entrance to the surface repelled by Ousmane Ba. Youssef Maziz responded by appearing alone against the Bastia goalkeeper but the garnet midfielder lost his duel. On the hour mark, the situation did not change and Bastia remained solid against ineffective Metz in front. As in the first period, the teammates of Habib Maiga created more chances in the last quarter of an hour. The corners followed one another but the Mosellens were never rewarded.
FC Metz logically lost 1-0 against a valiant team from Bastia. This is the second consecutive defeat in the league, the third meeting without a win. Uninspired in the first half, the Garnets were not rewarded in the second because of solid Bastiais defensively. Now 10th in Ligue 2, Laszlo Boloni’s players will have to wake up against Pau on Saturday 1 October. A new poor performance could jeopardize the reassembled mission.
Photo credit : Valentin Lachaux/LGM (archives)
