Metz beats Ajaccio and finds a smile again far from its bases

FC Metz is smiling again outside! After three consecutive losses far from its bases, the Lorraine club actually won this Monday, November 4 on the Ajaccio field (1-0), at the end of the 12th day of Ligue 2. An outcome which seemed far from be obvious from the first twenty minutes played at the Michel-Moretti stadium. Sixteenth and without a victory for four matches, Mathieu Chabert's ACA started strong, with several heated situations in front of Pape Sy's cages. The Senegalese goalkeeper, starting for the first time in place of Alexandre Oukidja, notably relied on his bar on a header from Jabol Folcarelli, before relaxing to deflect a rebound from Anziani in the process (5th ).

Oukidja reassures

At the start of the game to Ajaccio's advantage, the former Seraing goalkeeper, well into his match, unfortunately did not have time to confirm. Affected, he had to give up his place to Oukidja before the half-hour mark (24th).

Enough to awaken Garnets which are very not dangerous until now. Stéphane Le Maignan's players especially took advantage of a blunder by Anziani, whose poorly assured back pass towards his goalkeeper was intercepted by Hein. Mercilessly, the Metz playmaker obliterated the last local rampart before finishing (31st, 0-1). A twist of fate for the ACA, very close to conceding a second goal without a stop on the ground by Sollacaro on a strike from Bokele (40th). The first period, open and with numerous spaces to exploit on each side, promised a wild second. This was not the case. The fault, in particular, is the drop in intensity and aggressiveness of the Ajaccians and a more visible control of Metz. The Garnets, who did not manage to carry out their offensives to take cover, were in little danger. Except on a point blank recovery from Ibayi, diverted by an Oukidja called to redeem himself (70th).

Done. A little more reassuring about his interventions, the Algerian allowed his team to stay the course and bring back three precious points from the Ile-de-Beauté without having particularly shone. Now fifth with 21 points, two less than the second place occupied by Lorient, Metz can calmly look forward to the reception of Caen at Saint-Symphorien on Saturday (8 p.m.). For its part, Ajaccio, which missed its chance in the first period, continues to plunge with a fifth consecutive match without a victory. Still sixteenth, tied with Troyes (17th, 11 pts), the ACA will absolutely have to win on Friday evening (8 p.m.) against Clermont to restart the machine and avoid sinking.

Ligue 2: the ranking