After the Coupe de France parenthesis, Ligue 2 BKT resumes its rights. Clermont Foot 63 hosts FC Metz, another relegated player from the first division, this Friday at 8 p.m., for the 14th day of the championship.
If the trip to Ajaccio (2-0 defeat) had left a bitter taste in Laurent Batlles, the Clermont technician still keeps the same objective in mind: “We continue to move forward, working on several aspects of the game. The goal is to take as many points as possible to move up the rankings. » Our coach will have to cope without part of his squad due to injuries. Marks Inchaud is in the recovery phase but will not participate in the meeting. Ackra, Diedhiou, Saivet and Diaby, also injured, will be absent. Mbahia remains uncertain for the upcoming meeting. Laurent Batlles was, for this reason, able to take advantage of this break period punctuated by a Coupe de France match: “We were able to do a squad review, it was important. The fact that the internationals left during this period is a bit tricky, we had to deal with younger players. »
For its part, FC Metz, 4th in Ligue 2 BKT with 24 points on the clock, will arrive in Auvergne with the desire to achieve a third success in a row in the championship (0-1 in Ajaccio and 1-0 against Caen). With a well-oiled tactic, FCM has proven since the start of the season that it is a team capable of building, scoring 4 goals at the end of a sequence of at least 10 passes in Ligue 2 BKT this season, more than any other team. Behind also, the Messins are solid, since they have been able to keep their clean sheet in 3 of their last 4 championship meetings.
Laurent Batlles: “We must be able to achieve results against everyone”
The Clermontois are ready to put up a great battle in front of their home crowd, fully aware of the qualities of their opponent. However, Laurent Batlles expects his men to show a different face than during their last appearance in Ligue 2 BKT: “We know that they are a very dangerous team on the counterattack, we will have to be vigilant. I’m waiting to see a vengeful team, rediscover what I saw against Lorient. » This match against Metz serves as the first stage of the final stretch before the break, as our coach reminds us: “We have matches that will not be easy before the winter break. Metz, Annecy and Rodez are complicated teams to play, but we must be able to achieve results against everyone. »
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Update on the workforce
Marks Inchaud, Allan Ackra, Famara Diedhiou, Henri Saivet and Yadaly Diaby, all injured, will be absent. Mbahia is uncertain.
The player to watch
Cheick Sabaly. With 8 goals scored in Ligue 2 this season, Messin is the second top scorer in the championship.
The stat to remember
Clermont have lost only 2 of their last 11 matches against Metz in Ligue 2 (4 wins, 5 draws).
