Metz 2-1 Nice

The end of the run

The Gym fell to defeat against Metz (1-2) during matchday 23 of Ligue 1. Down to ten men for over a half, following Pierre Lees-Melou’s red card, Lucien Favre’s side were caught out by a brace from Nolan Roux.

The trip to Metz had seemed to be a potentially dangerous one. That would prove to be true once the game got going. In the middle of a good a run, the Gym faced a Metz side who were looking to bounce back after a defeat against Monaco. In a nice dynamic, the two sides cancelled each other out in the first half of the match, before the home side was able to make the difference.

Nice, set-up in a 4-3-3, with Papy Mendy in front of the defence, didn’t manage to trouble the hosts, despite a couple of opportunities in the first 45 minutes.

Even though Lucien Favre’s side didn’t manage to find the back of the net in the first half, they did show some promise but couldn’t find a way past the Grenats.

Mario Balotelli lacked a touch of precision after a cross from Pierre Lees-Melou (26’), Bassem Srarfi was denied by a smart block from Niakhaté (33’), and then an impeccable stop by Kawashima (35’). The Aiglons quickly got the impression that “they had missed their opportunity” and didn’t really have the impetus to turn it around. That impression was confirmed by a harsh decision by Mr Hamel just before the break, who decided to send off Pierre Lees-Melou for dangerous play on Milicevic.

Nolan Roux, the executioner

Without having been troubled themselves, the Gym had to fight for 45 minutes with a numerical disadvantage. It took them just five minutes  to find themselves in great difficulty. Without changing formation, they were caught out at the start of the second period. After a contentious challenge on Bassem Srarfi, Nolan Roux cut in from the right, struck firmly along the ground and didn’t leave Benitez with a chance (0-1, 50’). Lucien Favre’s side were beaten by the home side’s first chance.

It took a penalty from Super Mario to get them back into the game. Momentarily. An energetic Srarfi - the most in-form Niçois of the evening- was brought down by Niakhaté in the box, and the big Italian didn’t disappoint. Despite Kawashima saving the initial penalty strike, he followed up with a half volley to get the scores back onto level terms (1-1, 62’). 


The Niçois didn’t have the time to savour it: Nolan Roux earned himself a brace, after turning home a Mollet cross from 6 metres out (2-1, 62').

Srarfi missed the target with his right, after having left everyone behind him (70’), and the task seemed to become more difficult for the men from the Côte. They had neither the legs nor the spring to cancel out the Metz lead.

The Gym’s good run therefore came to an end on the pitch of the Saint-Symphorien. 

Now it’s down to the squad to bounce back next Saturday, during the visit of Toulouse. 

C.D.

Metz, Stade Saint-Symphorien
FC Metz 2-1 OGC Nice  (1-0 at half-time)

Matchday 23 of L1 - 27/01/2018

15 000 spectators approximately.

Referee: Johan Hamel

Goals: Roux (50' and 62') for Metz; Balotelli (57') for Nice.

Yellow cards: Diagne (32'), Roux (51'), Niakhaté (57'), Cohade (66') for Metz ; Seri (15'), Burner (30'), Balotelli (47') for Nice.

Red card: Lees-Melou (38') for Nice

FC Metz: Kawashima - Rivierez (Balliu 63'), Diagne, Niakhate, Palmieri - Mandjeck, Cohade - Mollet (Boulaya 75'), Milicevic, Roux - Rivière.

OGC Nice: Benitez - Burner, Dante (cap), Sarr, Coly - Lees-Melou, Mendy (Tameze 74'), Seri (Makengo 81') - Srarfi (Ganago 83'), Balotelli, Plea.