Metz avoid relegation by the skin of their teeth despite PSG loss
After clinching their 12th Ligue 1 title and exiting the Champions League at the semi-final stage, Luis Enrique has allowed many of his key players to relax ahead of the Coupe de France final against Lyon next week.
However, while this clash – which Les Parisiens played without the likes of Kylian Mbappe and Ousmane Dembele even in the squad – was not particularly important for the champions, it could prove pivotal for Metz. They entered the match three points clear of Lorient in 17th with a superior goal difference of seven – a tally hardly impossible to close down for Les Merlus considering Metz’s opponents.
Manager Laszló Boloni will have been eager for his side to keep things tight early on, but the opposite ensued. PSG were in front within seven minutes, albeit rather fortuitously, as Carlos Soler’s overhit cross evaded everybody, including Alexander Oukidja between the Metz sticks, on its way into the top corner.
The hosts did have two fantastic opportunities to equalise, yet Georges Mikautadze’s shot was saved before Danley Jean Jacques fired narrowly wide of the post.
Those misses proved vital as the visitors doubled their advantage before the quarter-hour mark when Lee Kang-in tapped into an empty net at the back post.
Had it not been for Maxime Colin heading Nordi Mukiele’s effort off the line and into the crossbar, as well as several Oukidja saves, the situation could have been a lot worse for Boloni and Co. at the break.
After the interval, Metz were far more positive offensively and carved out a fantastic opening with around an hour on the clock. Mikautadze’s neat feet created some space for him in the penalty area, but he could not beat Keylor Navas, who stood firm.
Besides a Mikautadze free-kick that went narrowly wide of the post in the closing stages, Navas was rarely troubled.
Fortunately for Les Grenats, despite Lorient finding a fifth in their clash, Metz survived by the skin of their teeth.The two sides finished level on points, with the same goal difference and an even head-to-head record, with the tiebreaker being away goals scored in the head-to-head matches.
They are not yet officially safe, though – they must now face AS Saint-Etienne in a two-legged play-off for a place in the top flight next term. PSG, meanwhile, will turn their attention to the cup final with Lyon, where they will look to give Mbappé the perfect send-off in his final game for the club.
Flashscore Man of the Match: Lee Kang-In (Paris Saint-Germain)
