Despite some scares in the final moments, AS Monaco upheld its favorite status on the pitch of FC Metz (5-2) as part of the 27th day of Ligue 1. A success allowing Adi Hütter's men to temporarily move up to second place. For the Garnets, Ligue 2 is fast approaching…
In Saint-Symphorien, FC Metz , seventeenth at kick-off and with their backs to the wall, welcomed AS Monaco, fourth, just a short distance from the podium. A meeting with diverse issues but so important for both teams. Aligned in 4-2-3-1 with Wissam Ben Yedder at the forefront of the attack, the Monegasques were quick to enforce their favorite status against the Garnets. Organized in 5-4-1, the Metz block quickly shattered in the face of the Asemist waves. If Oukidja saved his team for the first time on a strike from Vanderson, the last rampart of the locals could however do nothing on the recovery of Takumi Minamino, served by Eliesse Ben Seghir (0-1, 4th).
Ideally launched, Adi Hütter's men continued their momentum and doubled the lead. After a recovery at the feet of Kevin Van den Kerkhof, Maghnes Akliouche took the ball, fixed Ismaël Traoré and crossed his shot perfectly (0-2, 10th). Absent from the debates, FC Metz would nevertheless have the opportunity to return to this match but Georges Mikautadze fell on Radoslaw Majecki, imperious on his line (12th). A missed opportunity that the Garnets paid for in stride... Receiving a wonderful opening from Aleksandr Golovin, Vanderson resumed with a beautiful cross volley from the inside of the foot and pushed Laszlo Bölöni's troops a little further (0-3, 16th). In the middle of a nightmare and to make matters worse, Metz lost Joel Asoro to injury (24th) and ASM continued its unchallenged domination.
Monaco provisionally 2nd, Metz on the brink of the abyss!
Found by Ismail Jakobs in the area, Ben Yedder was then very close to participating in the Principality club's offensive festival but the French international unscrewed his attempt (34th). Very present during the first act, Jakobs also lacked precision when arming a new volley (38th). A one-sided scenario logically provoking the rage of Metz supporters. While “Wet the jersey” came down from the stands, ASM for its part calmly managed its large advantage on the scoreboard. When we returned from the locker room, the appearance of this match barely changed. In total control, the ASM unfolded and missed several opportunities to move further out to sea. After another superb offensive move, Minamino saw his cross deflected by Candé, very close to deceiving his own goalkeeper (49th).
For its part, Metz offered, at times, some interesting sequences but faltered technically to create a real opportunity... On the bench, Adi Hütter decided to bring in new blood with the entries into play of Balogun, Diatta and Magassa. Changes allowing the Monegasques to score a new goal on a terrible ball from Oukidja. Under pressure, the Metz goalkeeper missed his backheel before being blocked by Balogun (0-4, 77th). Enough to annoy, a little more, the supporters present... Despite the late goal from Pape Amadou Diallo (1-4, 79th), perfectly found by Kouao at 5m50, and the further reduction in the score from Ibou Sané (2-4, 84th), again served by Kouao, Monaco finally completed its victory with a new achievement from Balogun (2-5, 88th). With this success (5-2), AS Monaco temporarily rises to second place in the championship while awaiting the other matches of this 27th day of Ligue 1 . For its part, FC Metz is sinking a little deeper into the crisis and remains stuck in a dangerous seventeenth place…