Reunion day in Saint-Symphorien. A month after their last home outing, the Garnets returned to their lair. Facing USL Dunkerque, a direct competitor at the top of the table, Stéphane Le Mignan's team was counting on finishing on a good note in front of their supporters.
This Monday, however, we had to do without several elements. In addition to Maxime Colin, in the recovery phase, Cheikh Tidiane Sabaly, Sadibou Sané and Ablie Jallow were also missing. At the same time, Abou Lô, Simon Elisor and Papa Amadou Diallo took the opportunity to find a starting place.
From the start of the game, the Grenats tried to take the game into their own hands and Benjamin Stambouli placed the first banner with a long shot. Adrian Ortola was forced to deploy at full length to ward off the danger (3rd). Well into the game, our team tried to destabilize the Northerners by pressing high and Papa Amadou Diallo was close to converting a ball recovery in the opposing camp (5th).
A few minutes later, number ten Metz served Simon Elisor perfectly. It took an incredible save from Adrien Ortola to repel the Metz attempt (12th). In the process, Gauthier Hein subtly served Matthieu Udol. Captain Metz's attempt was unfortunately off target (14th).
And while the first quarter of an hour was clearly to the advantage of the Garnets, the game was balanced thereafter. Just before the break, USL Dunkirk could even have opened the scoring when Naatan Skytta impaled Alexandre Oukidja (45°).
As soon as the restart, Stéphane Le Mignan's men tried to take things in hand again. Served by Morgan Bokele, Gauthier Hein failed to worry Adrien Ortola (53°).
Rarely put in danger since the start of the game, our team struggled to pick up the pace during the second act. Matthieu Udol was very unbalanced in the area (69°), but not enough to offer a chance of obtaining a penalty. Then, following a solo number, Koffi Kouao tried without success (78°).
And while the score of the match seemed settled, Jessy Deminguet was unbalanced in the Dunkirk area (88°). The match referee then whistled a penalty, perfectly transformed by the left paw of Gauthier Hein (1-0, 90°), putting his team in front!
After this late opening, Benjamin Stambouli launched Joel Asoro in depth, our number 99 took advantage of a disagreement from the opposing team to double the lead in an empty goal (2-0, 90+3').
On the wire, the Garnets pocketed the three points and won this top-of-the-table clash. A very good result before the trip to Annecy this Saturday.
© crahesphotography
FC METZ – USL DUNKERQUE: 2 – 0
15th day of Ligue 2 BKT
Monday December 9
Saint-Symphorien Stadium
Goals for Metz: Gauthier Hein (90°), Joel Asoro (90+3°)
Team compositions
FC Metz: Oukidja – Kouao – Lô – Traoré – Udol – Deminguet – Stambouli – Hein – Diallo (Van Den Kerkhof 87°) – Bokele (Asoro 75°) – Elisor (Mangondo 75°).
USL Dunkirk: Ortola – Georgen – Sasso – Sangante – Abner – Bardeli (Sekongo 75°) – Rivera (Ateba 86°) – Skytta – Raghouber (Mabiala 90+5°) – Bammou – Yassine (Courtet 46°).
