The workforce
After having many absentees for the Coupe de France match in Obernai (0-3), Stéphane Le Mignan could recover some strength for the trip to Clermont, this Friday (8 p.m.). “Koffi Kouao is operational,” announces the coach, still deprived of Maxime Colin, “in the recovery phase,” and Pape Sy. Papa Diallo is uncertain after returning to the training grounds this Tuesday.
“The selected ones have not all returned yet,” slips the Breton technician. “Cheikh Sabaly played late last night, he will be there in the afternoon. Fali Candé will be back Thursday during the day. Ablie Jallow came home late last night. » Le Mignan will take stock with each of these players individually. “Travel is restrictive, the temperature change is brutal. Some players digest better than others. »
The opponent
After a sluggish start, Clermont is 13th in Ligue 2. “It’s a team that has fallen a little behind its initial objectives, it happens,” believes Stéphane Le Mignan. “The championship is very long, we saw it with Saint-Étienne last season. » Especially since the Auvergnats remain in a “reference match” at home, against Lorient (2-1) on November 1st. “They have quality players, mature players like Da Silva, Gastien, Saivet, Diedhiou. This team must join the fight for the top of the ranking, it has enough qualities for that. »
For the FC Metz coach, Clermont “has enough quality to string together victories. He is a direct opponent, not a candidate for retention. We will have to perform better than in our last two matches, even if we won, because we did not have very good control of the game. I am very suspicious, there is a big piece in front of us. »
The end of the year
In addition to Clermont this Friday, FC Metz must still face Dunkirk (3rd) and Annecy (5th) before the winter break. A robust menu for the Lorraine candidate for the climb. “That’s what we said with the players. The cup sometimes destroys the visibility of the championship but the three teams we have to play at the end of the year are formidable opponents,” warns Le Mignan. “We will also be able to gauge ourselves against these opponents. We will have to show solidity outside, use what we did in Ajaccio where we were rather strong. »
France
