In the first leg of the Ligue 1 play-offs, Saint-Etienne takes an option, but Metz keeps its chances

Two years after its relegation, AS Saint-Etienne, third in Ligue 2, took a small option for accession to the elite after its narrow victory (2-1) acquired at the expense of FC Metz, Thursday May 30 at the stadium Geoffroy-Guichard in the first leg of the play-offs. This result nevertheless preserves the chances of Messins, sixteenth in Ligue 1, to maintain their position.

However, they will have to show much more on Sunday when they return to their home field to win by two goals after having not won since April 21 in Le Havre (1-0). Their away goal does not count double in the event of a tie.

Even if it gave in at the end of the regular season (two draws, one defeat) letting second place slip away for the direct accession which held out its arms to it, ASSE still remains on a good dynamic, particularly on its home ground where it remained on seven victories and a draw in Ligue 2 to which is now added this success over Metz. It remains for the Stéphanois to validate this short success away from home in a Saint-Symphorien stadium which is expected to be sold out.

Metz not very enterprising

Ibrahim Sissoko logically opened the scoring for the Greens who dominated the start of the match by beating Sadibou Sané on a pass from Mathieu Cafaro to deceive Alexandre Oukidja (20th). Metz equalized just before half-time through veteran (37) Ismaël Traoré who headed a Lamine Camara corner ahead of Dylan Batusbinsika (45th).

At the end of the game, while ASSE largely dominated a very unenterprising Lorraine team, Irvin Cardona headed a cross from Cafaro, again, on which Oukidja completely missed his exit (81st). Cardona was a decisive element in the Greens’ rise to the Ligue 2 standings in the spring. He has been involved in thirteen goals with Saint-Etienne since February (ten goals, three assists).

During a lively but low-level meeting between two limited teams, the Stéphanois, victorious over Rodez in the Ligue 2 play-off (2-0), on May 23, once again deserve their success. With obvious good will compensating for major technical shortcomings, they tried to put on entry pressure.

In addition to Sissoko’s goal in front of which he also intervened shortly after (25th), Oukidja also repelled a shot from Florian Tardieu (8th) before Kevin N’Doram resumed in extremis Dylan Chambost (39th). After half-time, Yvan Maçon was threatening (52nd) as was Cardona from a corner (63rd).

For its part, FC Metz was very shy with only one opportunity from Georges Mikautadze whose attempt narrowly missed (15th). And apart from Traoré’s goal, only one shot from Camara went past the post in the second half (54th).